Two Croydon Council CCTV staff who helped catch a boy carrying a knife and stop a fight in the town centre have been recognised for their “great work” in crime prevention.

Carrie Russell and Colin Skilton will receive awards in this year’s Metropolitan Police local authority CCTV awards.

Ms Russell was nominated for helping catch a youth carrying a knife.

She was carrying out a routine camera patrol in Croydon when she spotted the boy carrying what appeared to be a knife.

She immediately called police and switched the camera feed to the Met’s communication centre so police could see the suspect.

A police car was alerted but the suspects moved off before it arrived and Ms Russell followed them on camera, directing police to where he was.

The boy was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon after he was spotted showing off his knife.

Ms Russell said: “I’m very happy and excited to receive this award. It is the second year I have been nominated and I feel a great pride in doing a good job.

“It’s also good that the CCTV team is getting noticed for its crime prevention work - the ceremony was a good opportunity to toast this.”

Croydon’s CCTV manager, David Eastoe, nominated her for her observational skills.

He nominated Mr Skilton for his skill in getting information from a new user of the Safer Croydon Radio system and using his local knowledge to help arrest five suspects for affray.

Mr Skilton took a call for someone reporting a fight at West Croydon bus station.

The caller didn’t know Croydon town centre well and initially gave wrong location details but Mr Skilton’s knowledge of the area helped pinpoint where the fight was taking place.

He called in police but when they arrived the suspects fled into a nearby alley. Mr Skilton used CCTV to direct police to their location.

He said: “I have been doing this line of work for the last 23 years and felt honoured to be nominated. It’s good for the CCTV team to be recognised for its efforts in protecting the borough.”

Councillor Hamida Ali, cabinet member for communities, safety and justice, said: “Carrie’s work got a dangerous weapon taken off the street and Colin’s work helped to stop a gang-related fight where two of those arrested were high-level gang members.

"On behalf of Croydon, I would like to offer my gratitude to them for their great work and congratulations on their well-deserved awards."

London’s surveillance camera commissioner, Tony Porter, presented the awards at New Scotland Yard on June 3.