A Staffordshire Moorlands-based Ju Jitsu champion has received backing from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Proceeds of Crime Fund to help prevent crime.
Tara Burndred, founder of community interest company ‘BREATHE* UK Training’, hopes the charity’s ‘First Step’ project will educate participants via teaching situational awareness sessions and self-defence classes.
Based in Blythe Business Park, Cresswell, the project will work in partnership with Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire housing associations, Neighbourhood Watch and other organisations to deliver the awareness sessions.
The sessions will focus on potentially dangerous scenarios, such as taxi-usage and road rage, whereas the self-defence classes will teach participants the ancient art of Ju Jitsu as a last means of defence.
Matthew Ellis has decided that 100 per cent of funding received by Staffordshire Police from proceeds of crime seizures should go back to local communities.
The Proceeds of Crime Fund is supporting projects in conjunction with local policing teams and local authorities. It is made up of assets and money seized by police from criminals in Staffordshire under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Staffordshire Police continues to strip criminals of their assets – hitting them where it hurts.
The bids have to demonstrate a clear connection with reducing crime and fit into one of the Commissioner’s four priority area: intervening early, putting victims first, preventing offending and re-offending, and improving public confidence.
Mr Ellis said: “For the first time, 100 per cent of funding that comes back to Staffordshire Police from proceeds of crime seizures is going directly to local communities. Projects like this benefit both the user and the wider-community in a positive way.
“By raising people’s awareness to potentially dangerous situations, we can intervene early, stopping certain crimes from ever occurring.”
Project Leader Tara, a third Dan black belt and World Council of Ju Jitsu Organisation (WCJJO) champion has competed for both Great Britain and England over a 30 year career, will be teaching the self-defence classes.
She said: “The Police Commissioner’s fund has enabled this fantastic project to begin, giving the participants access to world class instructors and facilities.
“Our aim is to work with the community, schools and guide/scout groups in the area to promote personal awareness and self-defence. It’s always been a dream of mine to pass on the knowledge I have gained over the years and the Commissioner’s Proceeds of Crime Fund has made it a reality.”
The project has received £3,250 to purchase specialist equipment, such as floor mats, punching bags and grappling dummies, transforming an office space into a functioning dojo.
The awareness sessions will take place upon request, whilst the self-defence classes will be taught on Wednesday evenings.
If you are interested in attending, contact Tara on 07742240973.
People Power applications need to be sponsored by the group’s local Neighbourhood Police Officer or Police Community Support Officer. More details, including application forms and an animated video about the fund, are available now at
www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/fund
*(Benefiting from Rural Expertise and Training in Health and Safety Education)
