This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Reception for Scotland's community heroes
04/10/2004
First Minister Jack McConnell today paid tribute to acts of bravery carried out by heroes from all over the country.
He was speaking as he hosted a reception at Edinburgh Castle in honour of 65 Scots, nominated by their local police force, who have shown the courage and conviction not to turn a blind eye to crime in Scotland's communities.
Mr McConnell said:
"Individual acts of bravery and courage regularly make a huge difference to people's lives and help to strengthen Scotland's communities.
"These heroes come from across Scotland. They are ordinary people like you and me. They come from a range of different backgrounds. But their bravery sets them apart.
"Young and old are being honoured, from schoolchildren to pensioners. They each have their own heroic story to tell.
"Each and every one of them chose the difficult option. They put others first in the face of danger, choosing not to cross the road or look away. We all owe them a huge thank you."
Among those receiving awards are 73-year-old Douglas McFarlane, who gave chase to a man who had just committed a robbery at a post office and detained the man until police arrived.
Other heroes include 14-year-old friends Blane McInarlin, Scott Kennedy, and David Green, who acted quickly when they witnessed a man punching a woman. They immediately phoned the police and later identified the criminal despite risks to their own safety.
Leslie Keyte, 33, who was stabbed while bravely trying to stop a man assaulting a woman.
Full details of award recipients are available from police forces.