THE outstanding service of police officers was recognised by the deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Major General Patrick Brooking, when he presented awards at a ceremony at police headquarters in Devizes last week.

Among those honoured were Swindon officers Allen Coutts, Claire Hall and Ian Thomas who were called to a house in The Holbeins, Swindon, after a woman barricaded herself inside and set it on fire.

They forced the front door and crawled into the smoke-filled house but despite their efforts Donna Jones, 32, died at the scene.

They were thanked by the coroner at the inquest held in December 2001.

Chief Constable Dame Elizabeth Neville presented certificates of appreciation to three motorists, Kelvin March, David Mitchell and Andrew Woodruff, for their part in attempting to save the life of crash victim Melissa Collins following a collision on the A303 in June last year.

She also presented a certificate to Jean Cox, from Landford, near Salisbury, who has helped the police highlight distraction burglaries after being the victim of four such crimes.

Distraction burglaries occur when criminals inveigle their way into the homes of elderly people on a false pretext to steal cash and valuables.

Long service and good conduct medals were awarded to Insp Nicholas Bancroft, police HQ; Sgt Christopher Banham, HQ; PC Stephen Fletcher, Swindon; PC Caroline Hunt, HQ; PC Shaun Hunt, Corsham; Sgt Michael Patterson, Swindon; Chief Insp Richard Rowland, HQ; PC Robert Salter, HQ; PC Gary Sears, Pewsey; PC Qahir Sheikh, Swindon; PC Christopher Switzer, HQ; Det Con Paul Vost, National Crime Squad; Chief Superintendent Jeremy Wickham, Salisbury; and Sgt Paul Williams, Salisbury.

Major General Brooking also presented Society For The Protection Of Life From Fire certificates to civilians Kelvin March and David Mitchell who tried to save a woman,from a burning car after a crash near Salisbury.

The Police Authority Trophies, given to promote and recognise outstanding achievements in service to the community were presented by the chairman Bertie Woolnough to PC Robert Lindsay, who works in the villages of Codford, Bishopstrow and Heytesbury in the Wylye valley.

He presented a similar award to Liz Willis, of Marlborough Police Station.

Certificates of commendation went to Sgt Ronald Peach, police HQ; Det Con David Sharp, Trowbridge; PC Beverley Pitchford, Swindon; PC Gary Wells, Swindon; PC Allen Coutts, Swindon, and former police constable Jamie Wallis.

The John Rennie Thomson Memorial Book Prize went to Sgt Nicholas Cane, from Wilton.