The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman MP, made a visit to Milton Keynes to learn about a local company which is offering a unique diversion program for young people.
The Home Secretary made a visit to Boxing Clever in Milton Keynes yesterday (20 April).
Suella Braverman MP was joined by Ben Everitt, MP for Milton Keynes North and Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber.
The Home Secretary recently laid out plans to ban machetes and zombie knives to help tackle knife crime, but was keen to learn more about the successful preventative initiatives such as Boxing Clever.
Boxing Clever MK, based in Kiln Farm, is a registered Community Interest Company (CIC) with the aim of tackling numerous issues in Milton Keynes including crime reduction, health, cohesion and education, through the sport of boxing and is supported by Thames Valley Police.
The scheme is led by Head Coach of Bletchley Amateur Boxing Club Kevin McCarthy, Head of Programmes Claire Byrne and their team, with the support of PC Cafe and PC Prestige.
Suella Braverman met coaches, young people taking part in Boxing Clever and even donned some boxing gloves in the ring for a quick spot of training.
Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, said: "It was an absolute pleasure to welcome the Home Secretary to Milton Keynes today so she could experience for herself the inspirational work Kevin, Claire and all the team at Boxing Clever do to support young people and keep them away from crime.
"Suella knows how much I've been fighting to tackle knife crime right here in Milton Keynes and preventative approaches like Boxing Clever are such an important part of that."
Matthew Barber commented: “I love the work of Boxing Clever. They’re an inspirational group who are a great example of the proactive work that can make such a difference in our communities.
“As part of my Crimefighters strategy Thames Valley Police will be doubling the number of neighbourhood police officers this year. We now have more than 5,000 officers across the force - more than ever before- and I want to ensure this results in visible hotspot patrols to prevent crime.”
We welcomed Home Secretary @SuellaBraverman , PCC @matthew_barber @TV_PCC , & local MP @Ben_Everitt to Boxing Clever today. Had a great discussion on reducing youth violence, aggression, & exploitation in our communities through our youth diversion programmes #tacklingCCE #MK pic.twitter.com/65qXZFOGVA
— Boxing Clever MK (@BoxingCleverMK) April 20, 2023
