Dec 6 - The battle to combat rail crimes in Newport, a top hotspot in south Wales, has begun according to Network Rail .  St Joseph boxing club will be receiving a £10k funding boost from Network Rail to get more young people taking up new sporting skills and away from the temptation of misbehaving on the railway. The grant, which will be announced today at a special tournament between the boxing club and Repton ABC, will go towards refurbishing the club’s gym with new training equipment and a computer room.  

The funding will also be used to help to purchase a mini-bus to transport young members to and from the gym to encourage regular attendance.

This initiative comes on the back of Network Rail’s successful No Messin’ campaign, which aims to drive down the number of rail crimes committed by young people.  In the last 12 months, 75% of the rail crimes in south Wales were committed by young people and the Newport area experience at least a rail crime incident involving young people every day. 

Alan Milne, community safety manager of Network Rail said: “Newport is a real hotspot for railway crimes and our aim is to drive young people away from risking their lives by playing on the railway.  By working with community clubs like St Joseph boxing club, we are creating more opportunities for young people to take part in positive activities. Boxing teaches self-discipline, self-control and respect for others, these are important personal qualities to curb someone from anti-social behaviour.  St Joseph boxing club has been at the heart of the community for a long time, their influence is vital to our effort to encourage more young people to channel their energy constructively.” 

Champion boxer Amir Khan, who fronts No Messin’, spoke of his continued support for the campaign: “No Messin' is great because, instead of just lecturing kids, it gives them the chance to get involved with something new for free. Once they’re interested and can see the alternatives that are out there, they’re much more likely to pay attention to the rail safety message. "Young people need to know that messing about on the tracks is not what earns them respect.  I want young people to take a chance and try something new, rather than on the railway, where all they’ll be doing is chancing their lives.”

According to two younger members of St Joseph club - Preston Borg, 16, from Pill, said: “I used to find myself in police stations nearly every weekend from fighting. I now go down to the gym on most nights and haven’t been in trouble with the police in ages.”

18 year old Ben Buckley from Lliswerry said:”I haven’t been in trouble now for twelve months since I’ve been at St Joseph’s Boxing Gym. Joining the club gives me focus and self-discipline.  I don’t hang around the streets and drink anymore either.”

The boxing club now has 150 young members under their wing and the grant will be focused on getting more young people onboard. The company sponsors Amir Khan's community gym in Bolton and it also sponsors the Fitzroy Lodge gym in south London, where world's heavyweight champion, David Haye, learnt to box.