Knife crime and the safety of young people continues to occupy our thoughts. There doesn’t seem to be a week go by without a media report about another young person killed or seriously injured after a stabbing. Sometimes gang- or drug-related, there are other incidents that appear to have a less obvious motive – personal grudges perhaps that play out in public places.

In just the last few months, there have been several shocking incidents in Surrey. In January, 15-year-old Luis Gabriel Guembes was murdered by two boys in Stoke Park, Guildford. And in March, a teenage boy was stabbed in Staines High Street – several teenagers were subsequently arrested. The repercussions of both incidents was palpable, communities are scared and worried about what’s happening in their local areas, parents are scared for their children’s safety. Dispersal orders will only go so far to alleviate fear, we need to be proactive and educate our young people.

Knife crime is a national concern

In April, the government announced a new initiative, the Safety In and Around Schools Partnership. Targeting up to 250 schools in areas identified as knife crime hotspots, both staff and children at these schools will receive specialist training and support. But more intervention is needed. A view shared by Martin Cosser, the father of Charlie Cosser who was murdered at a party in West Sussex in 2023. He set up Charlie’s Promise and now visits schools to talk to young people about the impact of knife crime. From a place of grief and deep pain, he is bravely drawing on his experience and is an absolute inspiration.

The difference Krav Generation can make

We know from talking to our younger members that the fear of knife attacks is very real. Which is why we do everything we can to equip them with skills and knowledge that will help them stay safe. Self-defence training isn’t simply about learning some nifty moves, it’s about actively avoiding conflict before you ever think about using those moves.

Situational awareness

Integral to self-defence is being more aware of your environment, recognising potential risks and being able to make informed decisions based on that awareness. We aim to equip our students with a proactive approach to personal safety.

Conflict de-escalation

The ability to defuse a tense situation is a truly valuable skill. Knowing how to use one’s voice and adopting a confident stance to prevent confrontation are simple but effective tools.

Building confidence and resilience

Being in a Krav Generation class can make the biggest difference to a young person’s self-esteem – such is the power of physical activity. As they acquire new skills and improve their physical fitness, we see many of our students transform into more self-assured youngsters. Increased confidence makes them less vulnerable to peer pressure and gives them greater resilience to navigate tricky social challenges.

Discipline and responsibility

A good self-defence class is run with discipline, respect for each other and shared responsibility. The physical techniques we teach demand that all students adhere to this. We work together to achieve goals and, in the process, foster personal growth and community wellbeing, qualities that will extend into all aspects of our students’ lives.

Krav Generation’s classes for young people

We run classes for children and teenagers at Jubilee High School in Addlestone and at Esher Rugby Club. Teens aged 14+ are welcome to join our Leatherhead class. We also deliver workshops and short courses – if you know of a school or youth organisation that is looking for ways to educate their young people how to stay safe, please get in touch!