Public servants have been praised for their crucial role in keeping residents safe and bringing thugs to justice after Colliers Wood shops were looted last month.

Last week, Merton’s mayor, Councillor Gilli Lewis-Lavender, formally recognised the bravery and dedication of the Merton Police, Mitcham fire station’s red watch, and Merton Council’s CCTV operators and minibus drivers who helped drive police officers to the danger zone.

Shops at the Tandem Centre and Priory Retail Park in Colliers Wood were violently burgled and destroyed by scores of people in August, while Wimbledon town centre was all but deserted on the following day after fears of copycat looting.

Merton Council Leader Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: "I want to thank the many brave officers in the emergency services and our own council officers who provided the police with transport and CCTV coverage, as well as those who were involved in the clean-up operations following the rioting.

He added: "We live in one of the safest boroughs in London and we will continue to work tirelessly to put the safety and wellbeing of our residents and businesses at the centre of all we do."

The awards, presented at a full council meeting at the Civic Centre on September 14, were collected by Inspector Stuart Buchan, Merton police’s duty officer at the time of the riots in Colliers Wood, Sergeant Gary Martin who co-ordinated Merton Police’s response and Mitcham Fire Brigade Red Watch manager David Simpson.

Who else do you think deserves recognition for their work during last month's lootings? Leave a comment below, call 020 8722 6335 or email: ooakes@london.newsquest.co.uk.