This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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First Minister honours local heroes
23/09/2005
The annual Heroes Awards at Edinburgh Castle were staged today to honour 81 Scots nominated by their local police force for tackling crime and antisocial behaviour.
In the Great Hall, First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"Yet again, those receiving a Heroes Award are a credit to themselves, their families and their communities.
"They have shown tremendous courage in the face of danger. They come from all over Scotland and from a range of different backgrounds. But their bravery makes them special today.
"These people, young and old, chose to say no to crime and no to antisocial behaviour.They put others first. They are truly remarkable and we all owe them our thanks."
Among those receiving an award is 81-year-old Michael Brown, who tackled an armed robber. Mr Brown from Clydebank was struck several times with a hammer and sustained head injuries as a result.
Other heroes include friends Curtis Roberts, 11, and Ryan Simpson, 13, who acted quickly to save an elderly woman from a house fire in Cumbernauld.
And Anthony Quantell, 37, from Glasgow who together with an off duty police officer, intervened to stop two men assaulting a man despite the fact that one of the suspects had a firearm.