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The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner is funding a Digbeth based boxing academy which offers activities for young people during school holidays.

Over the summer period, David Jamieson is putting on a range of activities for young people aimed at reducing youth crime.

The Pat Benson Boxing Academy are engaging young people who are at risk of getting involved in anti-social behaviour and gangs.

They also work with children excluded from school and young offenders, as well as young people from areas of high levels of social deprivation and poverty.

The summer camp is held Monday – Friday from 10:00am – 3:00pm and is open to young people aged 11 years and above.

The sessions are led by fully qualified coaches and attract over 40 young people a day.

Activities include shadow boxing, sparring, circuit training, table tennis and a variety of team games.

The Pat Benson Academy exists to unite young people from all backgrounds, faiths and cultures, helping to teach children discipline and self-control.

As well as boxing, the summer camp helps the young people focus on educational and personal development, delivering workshops on gang and knife crime.

The summer camp is funded through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Active Citizens Fund, a scheme which awards money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act to groups aiming to reduce crime and increase community safety.

The money can’t be used to pay for additional police officers as the fund increases and decreases from one year to another.

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, said: “The rise in crime across the country and here in the West Midlands has been well documented. The region has seen an 85% rise in knife since 2012.

“I am investing hundreds of thousands of pounds in reducing the risk of young people in the West Midlands committing and being victims of violent crime over the summer holidays.

“The Pat Benson Boxing Academy is a fine example of a project who is making a difference in the local community. The summer activities on offer help to deter young people away from gangs and reduce anti-social behaviour in Birmingham.

“The funding provides a great opportunity for young people to get involved in boxing to fill their time over the summer holiday and learn new life skills.”

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