CRIME fighters have been awarded for their bravery at a ceremony in Blackburn.

Police officers, staff and members of the public were honoured at the event, hosted by Chief Superintendent Bob Eastwood at Greenbank Police Station.

Those honoured included a 73-year-old forecourt assistant who tackled a violent knifeman and officers who rescued a woman who had fallen down an eight foot embankment.

Blackburn officers Sgt Simon Lynch, PC Andy Maltman, PC Jason Middleton, PC Alan Hurst and PC Kate Brady were awarded for their determination and tenacity when rescuing the 73-year-old dog walker who had slipped down the embankment into Roddlesworth Reservoir in January.

Officers gave first aid to the woman at the scene until paramedics arrived.

She was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital for treatment to a punctured lung, and fractured ribs and skull.

Forecourt assistant Derek Greenwood, 73, from Church, was commended for his bravery after he tackled a violent knife man who had threatened his colleague during a robbery at the Texaco Garage, Dill Hall Lane, Church, in June last year.

Also receiving an award was Blackburn response officer PC Andy Maltman who was subjected to a violent attack while he tried to arrest a group of drunken people in Blackburn around 9pm in December.

PC Maltman, who was on patrol on his own at the time, arrested the offenders despite being injured and in pain.

Four people were subsequently convicted at court.

DC Dave Dutton and Hyndburn social care worker Caley Galeski were also commended for their professionalism during an extremely sensitive investigation which resulted in a predatory paedophile from Oswaldtwistle being jailed for 13 years.

Chief Superintendent Bob Eastwood said: “The actions of these individuals should be praised, because in some cases they have helped to save the life of someone else, putting other people ahead of themselves and acting for the greater good.”