A NEW boxing club for youngsters aims to target anti-social behaviour in Chapelford.

The project is backed by Penketh councillor and Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane.

LiveWire will organise the club for children from the age of seven up to 16 and it is hoped the initiative will ease problems with youth anti-social behaviour in the area.

Westy Boxing Club, established in south Warrington in 2015, has dramatically helped reduce the number of incidents police attend in which bored youngsters are causing trouble.

Paul Flannery, neighbourhood engagement officer, at LiveWire, leads the new club and said: “We’re really pleased to have been granted this funding by Cheshire Police to run a boxing club in Chapelford.

“It will build on the work already carried out by LiveWire’s Friday Night Doorstep Sports Club which was launched in west Warrington in 2016 to try and tackle ASB in the area.

“On average, 70 young people across the town were taking part in the Friday night doorstep sessions every week and we hope that we can engage with more young people in west Warrington through the new boxing club.”

Kids will learn new skills, practice boxing workouts and have an opportunity to socialise at the weekly event, which takes place every Friday from 7pm to 9pm at Chapelford Primary School.

Sainsbury’s will also donate refreshments for youngsters joining the club.

David Keane said: “I set up the Safer Communities Fund to encourage our communities to take a leading role in the prevention and reduction of crime and support us in having a police service connected to our local communities.

“I am proud to be able to support Chapelford community boxing club and I hope that local residents embrace this community led project.

"I fully support the aims of increasing both community cohesion and the promotion of positive activity to support young people and I look forward to visiting the club to see the impact it has on local community.”