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Inside the Hemlington Boxing Club in Middlesbrough, the sound of gloves striking pads replaces the typical noise of everyday life. For many of the young men who train here, spending evenings in the gym offers a safer and more positive alternative to roaming the streets. Outside the club, however, the situation is starkly different. Riders wearing balaclavas speed past on quad bikes after dark, creating an atmosphere of unrest.
Dylan, a 20-year-old boxer at Hemlington, reflects on this ongoing issue: “You see it all the time,” he says. “But I just can’t see it stopping. The police can’t really do much against it.” This escalation in crime has been thrust into the spotlight following a recent tragic incident in which seven people, including two police officers, lost their lives. The event unfolded when a Volkswagen Passat, pursued by police, drove the wrong way along the A66 before colliding head-on with a police vehicle.
For Dylan and others at the club, the risk of being pulled into the local culture of crime is a real concern. He recounts how it can be as easy as “walking around the corner and there’s just a gang of lads stood there and they shout you over.” Many boxers say the scarcity of safe recreational activities and opportunities in Middlesbrough contributes to youths gravitating toward gangs. Dylan explains how boxing has been a protective factor for him: “It stops you going down these bad tracks of crime, drugs, and what most of the lads my age are doing.” He adds, “It’s just not something I want to be involved in, really… I don’t think anyone would, but some people just get forced down these routes.”
Alex, 21, another regular at Hemlington, shares that training has provided a structured alternative to simply hanging out or doing nothing. “If I wasn’t here I’d just be out with my mates, or I’d just be sat at home doing nothing,” he states. Reflecting on the local scene, he remarks, “Realistically, what are you going to do on a night? There’s nothing to do. Everyone’s just out and about, especially the kids.” He describes crime as having become normalized in the area, with some people treating it like a game: “People find it a game almost, recording things for TikTok. It’s a ‘catch me if you can’.” Following the recent crash on the A66, Alex reveals his family’s concerns, who have urged him to leave Middlesbrough. “You hear nothing good from Middlesbrough any more,” he says, voicing his worries about the area’s reputation and saying, “I wouldn’t want to bring my kids up round here with all the stuff that’s going on.”
James, aged 24, now living in Peterlee about an hour north by bus, recalls witnessing frequent gang-related activity in Middlesbrough. “It might be drugs or knife crime or little petty things,” he explains. While Cleveland Police has faced criticism since the incident on the A66, with some locals previously expressing extreme mistrust towards the force, James and his fellow boxers take a more measured stance. They agree, however, that improving community relations is essential. James emphasizes the importance of officers “getting to know the people more, understand the people more” in order to build mutual trust. “I think the moment you relate to people, that’s the moment you’ve opened the door to getting people’s trust.”
Cleveland Police Chief Constable Victoria Fuller spoke about the deep grief following the deaths of the two officers in the crash. She acknowledged the challenges faced by the force and remarked that the national media portrayal of the area does not entirely reflect the reality on the ground. “We appreciate there are issues here. We know that there are things that policing needs to do, others need to do to make this area feel safer and be safer,” Fuller said. She also noted that a “minority” intent on causing harm can disproportionately affect communities and encouraged residents to report concerns. Highlighting the positive role of the boxing gym, she expressed gratitude for young people choosing to avoid crime: “We hope that people will look out for each other, spot signs of when people are getting drawn into crime and report it to us so that we can help people.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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