YOUNG people have stepped into the boxing ring with police officers in a new project aimed at building bridges between communities and their local force.

Camden Police launched “Off the Hook” with the Queen’s Crescent Community Association (QCCA) and Gospel Oak Action Link (GOAL) in December.

Combining weekly boxing sessions with talks and workshops for those aged 10 to 18 years old, its purpose is to give participants a way to work out frustrations in a safe environment while officers are on hand to show them the ropes.

QCCA’s sports development coordinator Frances White said: “Some young people didn’t want to sign up at first when they realised there’d be police involved, but I recently heard one of the boys from the programme telling someone: ‘‘The police are just normal people in their plain clothes. They’re really nice.’ So, it’s already breaking down barriers.”

One of the members, Sem, aged 11, said: “It’s helped me a lot in my confidence and my strength. When I first came, on my first day, I looked at all the teachers and I knew I was going to fit in. I learn something new every single day here.”

Initially intended to run for 10 weeks, the programme has been extended to run long-term, while it is hoped to increase the number of youngsters allowed to join when Covid-19 restrictions are relaxed.

PC Jan Sher said: “It gives us a chance to engage with them constructively to educate them about the work of the police – but also to hear about their experiences and concerns.”