Unsung heroes who have helped improve safety in their communities, sometimes at great personal risk, got their moment in the spotlight at an awards ceremony.
Dozens of people, from Neighbourhood Watch stalwarts to leaders of residents groups, were honoured at last night's Hounslow Community Safety Heroes awards ceremony.
They were praised by police, fire and council chiefs for their efforts, which ranged from tackling antisocial behaviour in parks to arranging events in their neighbourhoods.
There were three special 'outstanding heroes' awards presented on the night to the most impressive nominees.
One went to Gareth Salmon, who risked his life to drag an elderly woman from her burning flat in Chiswick on New Year's Eve, moments before an explosion rocked the building.
Jonathan and Maria Swaine received another for standing up to their neighbours from hell in Isleworth and getting them evicted in the face of intimidation and threats.
The third went to the trio of volunteer wardens at Chiswick House & Gardens, Dee Reader, Barbara Korarska and Andrea Williams, who between them have given up well over a thousand hours of their time in the last two years to ensure visitors' safety.
Presenting the awards, Superintendent Sally Benatar, of Hounslow Police, said: "I am always so amazed by the fantastic work that is done within our communities. Many of you who are here this evening have played your part in reducing crime and antisocial behaviour in your neighbourhoods and on the streets of Hounslow. I have enjoyed reading all the nominations and feel it is important your contributions are recognised."
HOUNSLOW COMMUNITY SAFETY HEROES AWARD WINNERS
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Dawn Pinnell
Penny Barltrop
Keith Haines
David Woodward
Barry and Lynn Newell
Shirley Rollitt
Jin Jhooti
INDIVIDUAL
Caroline Langton
Michael Wright
Rachael Wells
Subhash Mahajan
Noveen Phillips
Tony Smith
Raman Johal
S Sundaralingham
RESIDENTS GROUPS
Friends of Beaversfield Park (represented by Bal Krishan Chada and Subhash Mahajan)
Francis Avenue Residents (represented by Danny Mansell and Troy Norona)
Southern Avenue Residents (represented by Carol Cattemull and Naomi Bliss)
Heston Farm Residents Association (represented by Brindar Mann)
VOLUNTEER GROUPS
Speak Out (represented by Margaret Krowicki, Japaul Vilkhu and Lisa Maher-Middleton)
Hounslow Cycling (represented by Brian Smith and Ruth Mayorcas)
OUTSTANDING HEROES
Chiswick House Volunteers (Dee Reader, Barbara Korarska and Andrea Williams)
Jonathan and Maria Swaine
Gareth Salmon