Navy News
Direct from the front-line, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy, Navy News, brings you the latest news, features and award winning photos every month.
Royal Navy’s efforts to tackle gang and knife crime on Merseyside praised
13 August 2024
Civic leaders in Merseyside praised efforts by the Royal Marines and Royal Navy to tackle knife crime and gang culture.
Two Brothers Gym in Birkenhead became the latest venue to benefit from the expertise of commandos and sailors, using martial arts to harness unspent energy and aggression – and also open young people’s eyes to a potential career in the Forces.
Over the past year, Navy and commando volunteers have been running workout sessions across northern and north-eastern England, delivering fitness and martial arts training to young people as part of the Royal Navy Combat Sports Initiative.
It is driven by personnel who found themselves returning home after extended periods away on deployment and the communities they love blighted by a growing gang culture and knife crime.
They decided to fight back – drawing on their experiences and values, working with gyms, the police, councils and other crime-tackling authorities and groups.
The goal is to create a network of mentors and role models across the UK to combat knife crime, reaching a wide audience and demonstrating that there are alternatives to street violence.
Liverpudlian and Royal Navy Physical Training Instructor Dan Shannon gave up his time to put some of the 100 Wirral youngsters who attended the inaugural workout through their paces.
“Sessions like these, supporting local crime-fighting authorities, offering mentoring and fitness, encourage some of our strong values such as self-discipline and respect for others,” he said.
Watching the session delivered by Dan and fellow Senior Service volunteers was Chris Nisbet, director of the Weapons Down/Gloves Up programme.
“We are trying to get kids away from gun and knife crime and gang culture and hopefully give kids alternatives,” he said.
The Armed Forces can give them a lot more than the streets can – loyalty, structure, discipline – and you’re earning money. They offer a brilliant alternative to any kids involved with gangs.
“The Armed Forces can give them a lot more than the streets can – loyalty, structure, discipline – and you’re earning money. They offer a brilliant alternative to any kids involved with gangs.”
Mayor of Wirral Councillor Cherry Povall was also impressed by what she saw both from the Navy/Marine volunteers – and from the young people grappling with them.
“If this steers just one person away from anti-social behaviour then we’ve succeeded,” she said. “I think the partnership with the Royal Marines and Royal Navy is fantastic – it’s good for Wirral and for Wirral’s young people.”
The anti-knife crime/gang drive is just one arm of the Royal Navy’s Combat Sports Initiative. Another is a push aimed at female recruitment by supporting/sponsoring three of the most promising young fighters in the UK.
Already established role models, Erin Griffin (a black belt in kickboxing and national medallist in Thai boxing), Amber Kitchen (a one championship fighter with a global following of 100k followers) and Savannah Lee (a black belt and sensei instructor in multiple disciplines and kickboxing medallist) share many of the values – respect, dedication, courage, self-discipline – the Royal Navy is looking for.
The trio are already supporters of the Gloves Up project, will soon have the Senior Service logo emblazoned on their fight gear and share their stories/updates on RN social media channels, while highlighting opportunities in the Senior Service on their own channels.
The Combat Sports Initiative is run by a tiny team – a core of just three volunteers, led by Warrant Officer 2 Dennis Harrison who works for Navy recruiting in northern England. They’re keen to expand the programme – as well as grow the core of the team. If you’re interested, contact [email protected].