Off The Streets tackling knife crime issue in Newcastle

A campaign to help boxing clubs turn kids away from knives and into gyms, which hopes eventually to run nationwide, has been launched in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The Off The Streets initiative took the boxing ring to the streets of the city centre, with the help of locally-based Grainger Park ABC.

It saw former British and WBC International Champion John Davison in attendance, along with local prospect Joseph Laws, attracting coverage from the local press and regional broadcaster Tyne Tees TV.

The concept is being rolled out by the not-for-profit Knives Down Gloves Up, an organisation passionate about reducing violence and deaths among young people using knives.

The campaign is free of charge for clubs to enrol into the programme, but clubs must provide a minimum of two hours free training for the young people within the community.

It has been set up by Paul Kavanagh, a former Royal Marine and long-standing boxing coach who is the licensed professional BBBofC trainer to Pauly Upton.

Knives Down Gloves Up is already working in Hackney alongside the London borough’s Integrated Gang Unit and YOTs in a bid to address knife crime.

The campaign also delivers hard hitting presentations along with boxing workshops to schools and colleges around the UK.

Other England Boxing clubs that have so fat expressed are interested in enrolling are Putney and Roehampton, Wolverines ABC, Maidstone ABC, Horsley Hill ABC and Marden ABC.

Those that enrol will be holding regular career workshops and, once enrolled, all Off The Streets sessions are constantly evaluated.

Find out more on the Knives Down Gloves Up website.