Stanwell woman and Spelthorne policeman meet Gordon Brown

PC Smith was given an award for the 'Wonderful Worker' scheme, which commends people trying to cut crime, while Mrs Kapoor Sood was given a signed certificate from the Prime Minister for her contribution towards a neighbourhood crime fighting initiative called community crime fighters programme.

Mrs Kapoor Sood, who has been a neighbourhood watch co-ordinator in Stanwell for five years, was the person responsible for nominating PC Smith.

She said: "I was asked by the Home Office to nominate someone in my community who I thought provided an exceptional level of service in tackling neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour.

"I nominated Vic Smith because he is always contactable, even out of office hours, always willing to assist with issues, always full of encouragement and gives us a sense of direction.

"He is also a real people's person, and will go out of his way to help, and arrange meetings for us between the police and council, therefore forming a good partnership."

The award ceremony saw other winners from all over the country attend, and the pair also met home secretary Alan Johnson, news presenter Mark Austin and GMTV man Ben Shepherd.

Mrs Kapoor Sood said: "When I first received the letter from number ten saying my nomination has been selected out of hundreds around the country, I thought it was a joke.

"But the most interesting part of the day was meeting other winner's who had stories to tell, and seeing how hard they work as volunteers to make their areas safer."

PC Smith said: "I was honoured to receive this award, especially as it was proposed by the very community that we work to protect and make safe."