Gloves are off when it comes to knife crime

DC Boxing held a taster session at Whiston Youth Club to support South Yorkshire Police’s latest anti-knife crime drive under the banner of Operation Sceptre.

Youngsters had the chance to work on their boxing skills and also speak about any concerns they had around the carrying of knives.

PCSO Abby Grzesiek of Rotherham Central Neighbourhood Team, said she had worked withe DC Boxing before and was also a regular at the youth club.

“A big part of a PCSO’s job is to go out, engage and educate around topics such as knife crime, especially when a force operation is in place such as Operation Sceptre,” she said.

“Sometimes it can be just by having a conversation and giving people the chance to ask any questions — that can make them think twice when contemplating carrying a knife or a weapon. 

“Education and being able to talk to youths openly about real life situations is key, as then they can understand the consequences in the eyes of the law but also the consequences which go on to impact not only their lives, but their families and the community.

“I try to attend the youth club often as I feel it gives the youths a ‘safe place’ to meet and build relationships with others and is a way for me to get to know them, and vice versa, so that they could hopefully come to me if there was anything concerning them.”

PCSO Grzesiek said working with groups like DC Boxing, which also runs fitness and mental health-boosting sessions at Dinnington High and in Rotherham town centre, helped to “break down barriers and engage with youths, as this can be a good starting point into getting to know them individually and a chance for them to get them involved in something a little different that they may not have had the opportunity to try before”.

She said up to 40 young people regularly attended the youth club and those who had taken part in the boxing session had “thoroughly enjoyed it”.