While budgets for police and juvenile services are cut, youth violence has become a national emergency and the Home Affairs Committee has called for the government to ‘get a grip’ on the crisis unfolding with a string of stabbings and shootings on UK streets. 

 

In Hull young people are creating havoc on the estates, making life miserable for residents and one young man knows what it is like to be one of these trouble causers. In 2014, Sonny Taylor’s future didn’t look too rosy when a brush with the law for fighting on North Hull Estate landed him with a suspended sentence. 

 

However this story does turn into a happy one, becoming Hull’s only Cruiserweight fighter, with a promising boxing career ahead thanks to Vulcan Boxing Club in West Hull. 

“I am fortunate to have a loving family background but when I was growing up on North Hull Estate, I found myself with nothing constructive to do which led me into trouble. Boredom set in, I had made some wrong decisions, was in with the wrong crowd and before I knew it, I was handed a suspended sentence which brought me to Vulcan Boxing Club for community service.” 

 

“I had boxed a bit when I was younger and always enjoyed it but realised just how much I loved getting in the ring. Initially I was heavyweight but with great advice and support I became fitter and healthier and it gave me a purpose to get out of bed in the morning. I’m now fighting pro, at cruiserweight and pleasing crowds with knockout fights.” 

 

“The Prime Minister admits that the government is failing young people and I have to agree. With worrying statistics about knife crime and gang violence, we need to educate and raise awareness of the consequences. At Vulcan we support the No More Knives Campaign, working with other sports people to share the message that; carrying a knife is never the answer. If you leave the house with a knife for protection, you risk getting stabbed with it yourself.” 

‘It is wonderful to hear the huge effect attending the Vulcan Boxing Club has had on Sonny Taylor’s life. Channelling his fighting ability in the ring rather than on the streets has given him the opportunity to begin a promising career as well as become a role model for other young people wanting to better themselves. He is making Hull proud.’