A REDDITCH self defence instructor who has given free anti-knife crime classes to thousands of young people has received the Prime Minister’s daily Points of Light award.

Peter Martin has been teaching self-defence classes since 1989, but after a friend was stabbed 12 years ago and nearly died, Peter realised he wanted to do more to engage with young people and prevent them from carrying knives.

Working closely with West Mercia Police, Peter educates young people about the impact of knife crime and has designed a “Jab Don’t Stab” programme using boxing to divert those at risk of offending.

He has now given free anti-knife crime classes to over 30,000 young people in Redditch.

Peter has also worked with local businesses to install bleed kits across the borough, ensuring first aid assistance is more accessible and helping to save lives.

Thanks to Peter’s hard work there are now more than 30 where people can find a bleed kit including Asda in Redditch where an innocent shopper was fatally stabbed by a 14-year-old boy in March last year.

Bleed kits can also be found at Aldi in Studley, Redditch Football Club, Woodrow Library, Rose and Crown pub, Webheath and Malcs Barbers in Lodge Park.

Peter said: “When I received the telephone call from my MP Rachel Maclean to say I had been awarded a Points of Light Award I was shocked. It’s a great honour to be nominated and I am very grateful to be recognised in this way.

“I could not do what I do without the support of our local community and local police team. It is a testament to what communities can do when they work together on a common cause. Thank you.”

In a personal letter to Peter, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "I want to thank you for all you are doing to teach young people about the dangers of knife crime.

"After nearly losing a friend to a knife attack, you know just how important it is that we get knives off our streets.

"So it is fantastic that you have worked with West Mercia Police to give free anti-knife crime classes to over 30,000 young people in the West Midlands.

"Your brilliant innovative “Jab Don’t Stab” is helping to divert young people away from violence by channelling their energies into boxing."

Congratulating Peter on his award, Rachel Maclean, MP for Redditch, who wrote to the Prime Minister to recommend Pete for a Points of Light Award, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Peter’s work to make our society a safer and better place has been recognised by the Prime Minister.

“Peter is a complete hero, and that's an understatement.

"He has saved lives in our community with his years of relentless work with children and young people, diverting them from violence and building trust.”

Peter is the 1987th person to receive the Points of Light award, which was first launched in April 2014 to recognise individuals making a change within their community.

Each day someone in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their achievements.