News

London riots ‘unlikely’ heroes awarded

Summary:

Wandsworth Council presented six Community Champion awards to celebrate the actions of the unlikely heroes during the public disorder in August.

Image:

By Laura Jackson

The selfless individuals who stood up to the looters and vandals during the London riots have been recognised at a special ceremony at Wandsworth Town Hall.

Wandsworth Council presented six Community Champion awards to celebrate the actions of some of the unlikely heroes during the public disorder in August.

Among the winners were Heather Taylor and James Walker, who started the #riotcleanup ‘hash tag’ on Twitter, to help unite local residents for a mass clean-up operation at Clapham Junction.

Pamela Price, who runs the Wessex House Club in St John’s Hill, was another winner.

She allowed frightened passers-by to seek refuge in her club and let the town centre manager use her premises as a base from which to communicate with other officials working to maintain public safety.

Hamid Chou, Peter Ndow and Scott Thwaytes also received awards for their bravery and support to the town centre.

Further awards were given to Vincent Anderson and Patrick Monroe, two men who regularly give up their time to help improve the lives of young people in the borough.

The borough’s Mayor, Councillor Jane Cooper, said the award-winners fully deserved the praise.

“The public disorder that swept through the streets near Clapham Junction shocked and saddened us all – but the criminals responsible failed to overcome the community spirit possessed by so many living and working in the borough,” she said.

“I hope the efforts and ongoing work of these selfless people act as an inspiration to others and I thank them for helping make Wandsworth such a fantastic place to live.”

Related Articles