Police chief comes out fighting over funding

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner has called for boxing clubs to receive cash from a Government support scheme for sport.

Kim McGuinness says boxing clubs provide vital youth support and should not be excluded from the Governments £300m Sports Winter Survival Package.

While other sports received cash from the support package announced in November, boxing was excluded.

In force area a number of boxing clubs receive funds, through the Commissioner’s violence reduction unit, to deliver youth and mentoring programmes – providing an alternative option to those who may otherwise “engage in negative behaviours.”

Ms McGuinness has now written to the sports minister calling for action.

Kim McGuinness said: “I have seen first-hand how boxing can give young people a structure to their lives, whilst engaging in a positive activity that develops them both physically and mentally.

“Through funding provided by my violence reduction unit we have local boxing clubs working with young people – diverting them away from criminality and an unfavourable lifestyle.”

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service – which runs boxing intervention programmes delivered by serving firefighters – says the sport can bring reductions in anti-social behaviour, nuisance complaints and improves relationships betweenyoung people and their staff.

Chief fire officer Chris Low th er, said :“We are proud of the work already undertaken in our boxing hubs .”