Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has hailed the impact of a boxing and martial arts project helping young men in Leicester to break the cycle of crime.
Gloves Up has seen 50 young men aged between 11 and 17 from minority communities in St Matthews, Highfields, North Evington and Humberstone Gate taking part in free boxing, martial arts and fitness sessions at the Quba Martial Arts gym in St Matthews to prevent their involvement in crime, anti-social behaviour (ASB) and violence.
Picture credit: Leicestershire Police
The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCC, who has prioritised prevention in his Police and Crime Plan, contributed funding worth £10,000 to the project to help reshape the young men’s lives through the powerful medium of sport.
The grant has funded three dedicated sessions per week that combine combat sports training with mentorship and emotional support to challenge behavioural issues and divert the young people from risk-taking behaviour.
Delivered by trained coaches, ex-professionals and community role models, many of whom have lived experience of the challenges facing the young men, the project aims to tackle social isolation, disengagement and exposure to crime and increase self-esteem, build new support networks and foster resilience.
The project had already reduced youth crime and anti-social behaviour while successfully challenging the glorification of gang culture, wealth and status, negative role models or the ‘wrong crowd’.
The sessions have also addressed behaviours that are linked to an increased risk of crime including anger, emotional dysregulation and lack of motivation.
In one example, a 13-year-old boy was referred to the scheme after his school became concerned about his behaviour and fascination with crime.
Since consistently engaging in the sessions, he has abandoned his interest in crime and conflict, developed discipline, respect and positive friendships, improved in school both academically and behaviourally, and shown increased happiness and calmness.
His parents have also confirmed he is more respectful, less drawn to negative influences and is more future-focused.
In wider benefits, the project has resolved disrespectable behaviour and poor boundaries among the young people and promoted respect, self-control and emotional regulation.
Several of the young people are no longer engaging in criminality or idolising criminal behaviour and have developed trusted relationships with coaches while school engagement, mental and physical wellbeing and future aspirations have improved.
Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews said: “This fantastic project is proof of the power of sport and mentorship to transform lives and help young people overcome the barriers holding them back from achieving their full potential.
“Too many vulnerable children who disengage from society and exhibit risk-taking or challenging behaviour have unmet support needs. These behaviours can easily escalate into violence, crime or ASB if not addressed. This is why early intervention is critical.
“Like so many of the projects I support, Gloves Up works with young men at an impressionable moment in their lives when they are most open to change and have the belief of the trusted adults around them that they are capable of such change.
“And the results speak for themselves. Not only has crime and anti-social behaviour in the immediate community reduced but a life of incarceration has suddenly lost its appeal.
“This is really encouraging and demonstrates the value of investing in sport as a means to change lives.”
