Mr Samuel fought a burglar off at his own home

Hugh Samuel, 71, a retired solicitor, grappled with Mark Deborge, 25, during a raid on his home in New Malden, south-west London, in August 2002.

Mr Monckton died when he was stabbed by intruders at his home in Chelsea on 30 November. No-one has been charged.

Mr Samuel is one of seven presented with one of the annual Binney Awards.

Police said Deborge, 25, was arrested following the break-in carrying a replica gun and jailed for nine years.

Attempted armed raid

This week Met Commissioner Sir John Stevens called for homeowners to be allowed to use 'necessary force' when tackling intruders.

He presented the awards at the ceremony in central London.

Also honoured were student Sam Bayley, of Bexleyheath, south-east London and apprentice electrician Sean Webber, 17, of Bromley, south-east London who chased and caught three mobile phone thieves.

Denise Rhodes, who tackled a burglar in Kentish Town, north London, and Adrian Davison, who chased two armed criminals after an attempted armed off-license raid were also given awards.

Slashed with bottle

Paramedic Alan Payne, 36, of Ashford, Middlesex, was given his award for apprehending two men after a fatal arson attack in London.

Bill Coles was present to collect an award on behalf of his son Nicholas, 33, who helped stop an attack on a woman.

He was slashed with a broken bottle and had to have 14 stitches. Police say he saved the life of the woman who was stabbed 40 times.

He has since emigrated to New Zealand.

The Binney Award was set up in honour of Captain Ralph D Binney who died as he tried to prevent a jewellery raid in London in 1994.