Stories of courage and compassion that should inspire the nation

For one project, however – researching everyday heroes and their deeds – Minna Lyons found women throwing themselves at her feet, begging to assist. "I was interviewing firemen for a study," she recalls. "Once word got out, every woman I know was calling me up, asking to act as my researcher."

Yesterday, a group of ordinary Scots found themselves lauded. For deeds both noble and selfless, they were recognised as modern, local heroes.

The event, the Chief Constable's Heroes Reception, held at Hampden Park, saw 22 people from diverse walks of life commended for preventing acts of crime or helping victims.

Mrs Lyons, an evolutionary psychologist at Liverpool Hope University, said heroism provides a fascinating insight into human nature.

She told The Scotsman: "It has to do with altruism and human evolution. Co-operation is a sign of evolution, and we hold these people up as examples."

The reactions of those praised yesterday were humble. As far as Christine Wylie is concerned, she was just doing her job as a customer-service officer at the Royal Bank of Scotland in Helensburgh. Mrs Wylie was named one of Greater Glasgow's unsung heroes.

The view of Strathclyde Police, however, is that citizens like Mrs Wylie are of invaluable assistance. Chief Constable Stephen House gave a simple definition of heroism: "They all went beyond the call of duty," he said.

"They were all particularly brave and public-spirited in difficult situations."

Mrs Lyons added: "I have studied the socio-economic status of people who carried out heroic acts in their communities, and they are mostly males from poor backgrounds, people who stand to benefit more from taking risks. It also is perhaps a way of attracting mates.

"The promotion of heroism isn't unhealthy for individuals or society."

Gunman arrested in supermarket

HENRY McLaggan, a security guard responsible for East Kilbride town centre, received a dramatic tip-off in February last year that a supermarket customer was carrying a handgun.

Mr McLaggan approached the suspect and prevented him from leaving until the police arrived. The suspect, who was carrying a Magnum revolver in his waistband, was later jailed for two and a half years.

Student tackled street muggers

STUDENT Kyle MacAulay was walking along Maryhill Road in Glasgow in October of 2005 when he witnessed a fellow student being robbed by three men. Mr MacAulay approached the men, before one assaulted him and demanded his mobile phone. Mr MacAuley pinned him to railings, but he broke free. When police arrived, the 21-year-old provided a description, and the man he grappled with was soon arrested.

Bank worker wise to a dodgy deal

WHEN a 79-year-old customer asked to withdraw 5,000, Christine Wylie, a customer-service worker at the Royal Bank of Scotland's Helensburgh branch, asked him what he planned to do with such a large sum. He replied that a builder had offered to retile his roof, but insisted on being paid cash immediately. Spotting the builder watching their conversation, Mrs Wyllie called the police. It turned out the man was a bogus workman.

Hooligans took a swing at golf pro

GARY Collinson, a golf professional at Bearsden Golf Club, tackled four youths he suspected of theft, and asked them to return the stolen property. One youth brandished a golf club and acted threateningly, but Mr Collinson grabbed him. While restraining him, the others found bricks, and threatened violence. However, police arrived, and the stolen goods were recovered. Three youths were reported to the Children's Panel.

Bag-snatchers apprehended

MARGARET Lawless was walking her dog in Glasgow when she noticed a woman ahead of her was being trailed by two men. The men ran towards the woman, attempting to pull her handbag from her.

Ms Lawless ran to the aid of the victim, who had fallen to the ground and injured her foot, before asking a nearby shop to store any CCTV footage they might have of the incident.

Intruder caught in family home

SHAUN Mochan noticed doors were lying open in his Kirkintilloch home. Walking through his house, he confronted a stranger, who tried to escape.

Mr Mochan struggled with the man and held on to him while his wife telephoned for help.

When police arrived it emerged the suspect was in possession of two screwdrivers. The man was later sentenced to five months' imprisonment.

Eagle-eyed guard spies seedy snapper

THOMAS Coulter, a security guard at the East Kilbride branch of Morrisons, became aware of a man acting suspiciously. Having tailed the customer, it was apparent he was using his mobile-phone camera to take inappropriate photos of three female shoppers. Together with Scott Learmonth, his fellow nominee and the supermarket manager, Mr Coulter detained the man until the police arrived.

Jewel thief chased by passers-by

AN ELDERLY woman witnessed a thief making his getaway through her bedroom window. As he jumped from the window on to a nearby roof, the homeowner shouted out for help.

Frances Hanmer, who was passing, chased the suspect, along with another member of the public, Stephen Anderson. The police later recovered the stolen goods, jewellery worth in the region of 3,000.

Citizens' arrest at the hairdresser's

AUSTIN Grant and Finlay Adamson saw a man breaking into a hairdresser's in Kilmarnock. They secured him in an arm-lock and frogmarched him to the police station. En route, the suspect began to struggle, and both Mr Grant and Mr Adamson were knocked to the ground. The latter ran to the police station for help, while the other pinned the man down. A 46-year-old man was sentenced to two months.