East End schoolkids have a bash at kickboxing

PUPILS at an East End school were shown a few kicks to defend themselves. The students at Bishop Challoner School in Shadwell stayed after school for a special session on personal and community safety.

PUPILS at an East End school were shown a few kicks to defend themselves.

The students at Bishop Challoner School in Shadwell stayed after school for a special session on personal and community safety.

Pupils picked up safety tips from the Shadwell Safer Neighbourhood Team and joined a kickboxing demonstration.

Ruqsana Begum, a trainer at KO gym in Bethnal Green, equipped them with a few self defence techniques. The black belt holder in kickboxing is set to represent England at the World Muay Thai Championships in Thailand.

Ruqsana explained: "Kick boxing, originally known as Muay Thai, was first used in warfare but nowadays it's used more for self defence or in competition. In my experience it helps people gain more confidence, which is one of the first steps towards personal safety."

The events were part of Not in My Neighbourhood Week, a Home Office initiative aimed at helping people find out more about efforts to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and encouraging residents to play their part in reporting it.