Helping get kids off the street

9:29am Wednesday 9th July 2008

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Sanshu UK is a martial arts group giving youngsters an alternative to street crime. DAVID MILLS speaks to its founder.

KUNG fu is helping get teenagers off the streets and into the community.

Tom Metcalfe is a qualified martial arts trainer who has set up a kung fu school called Sanshu UK.

The 23-year-old from Blackbrook Lane, Bickley, has launched a programme called Respect, to encourage youngsters away from a life of street crime and come along to the school.

Recently News Shopper ran a six-week Voices Against Violence campaign to find solutions to the slaughter among teenagers that is plaguing our streets.

Already in London this year 19 teenagers have died violently, compared with 26 last year.

Mr Metcalfe, who has been doing martial arts since he was 15, says Respect was inspired by the murder of 18-year-old Rob Knox outside the Metro bar in Sidcup on May 24.

The Shaolin kung fu martial artist said: "The murder of Rob Knox was the inspiration because it happened on my doorstep."

He says Respect was about going out and speaking directly to the kids on the street.

Mr Metcalfe, a revenues officer, said: "It involves going out and talking to groups and individuals lurking on street corners, kids in parks smoking, and trying to get them involved in something positive, giving them a way out of gangs and giving them something to do.

"There's a lack of things to do for young people, they don't have anywhere to go.

"We need to get them off the streets and into the community where they can hope to achieve something."

He says young people lack role models and someone to talk to.

He said: "I want to be some sort of role model and tell these kids there's people you can talk to, things you can achieve.

"A lot of people are lacking role models and something to do.

"If they are having a hard time at home, maybe not agreeing with parents, they rebel and turn to gangs as an alternative family."

Sanshu UK meets every Thursday at St Augustine's Church Hall, Southborough Lane, Petts Wood from 8pm to 9pm.

Sessions are open to both boys and girls and are free for the first month.

They begin with all students bowing before doing a warm up followed by a series of kung fu techniques.

Mr Metcalfe said: "Martial arts instils lots of discipline.

"Kids might lack discipline, they can take out aggression on the pads we have.

"The club gives them a chance to meet up with friends and they also learn self-defence."

He added: "The kids get really involved, and want to be like Jackie Chan or Bruce Lee.

"We partner them up and get them used to different people.

"We have young people with older people so they get used to being around all types of people."

A typical session finishes with everyone sat down and able to talk about any issues that might be concerning them.

Sanshu UK, which has 15 members aged from 13 to people in their late 20s as well as two trainers, plans to go round schools to reach out to youngsters.

For more information call 07988538029 or visit sanshuuk.co.uk