Women offered free self-defence lessons following street attack

Retired police officer Steve Barrass, a black belt in jujitsu and karate, is hosting a six-week course beginning at Haltemprice Leisure centre tomorrow night for women in the Kirkella and Willerby areas.

The course, which is being funded by Willerby Parish Council and the leisure centre, follows the rape of a 17-year-old girl in Kingston Road, Willerby, who was attacked as she walked home after a night out celebrating a friend's birthday in March.

The girl parted company with a friend when they were dropped off by taxi near the Tesco Express and Esso petrol station in Kingston Road.

A man struck up a conversation with her, and as they walked past the Hope Pole pub pulled her into a driveway and carried out a "sustained" attack before she was able to run away.

A man aged 25 has been charged with the rape.

Although such incidents are rare in the area, it prompted local police to organise the classes in an attempt to improve women's confidence and ability to deal with potential offences.

Mr Barrass, an experienced instructor who retired last year and still teaches his former colleagues, said women did not need to worry about their levels of fitness to take part.

He said: "It will start with talking about awareness and how to promote self-confidence. Self-defence is the last defence; if we can talk about avoiding being in what can lead to serious situation that's a good start.

"Then we will get down to the nitty-gritty; what to do if someone pushes you, or if you are knocked to the floor, how to avoid being kicked and how to get up quickly, or how to soak a kick up if you are getting kicked.

"It's not going to be running around and putting pressure on them, it will be tailored to suit everyone in the class.

"Hopefully, at the end of day one they will have a little bit more confidence, and at the end of six weeks they will asking where can we get a bit more of this."

A total of 18 women have already signed up for the classes – including two Kirkella-based community support officers, Rachel Kay and Natalie Bingham.

Pc Andy White, who has helped to organise the sessions with PCSO Steve Clayton, said: "The Willerby and Kirkella area experiences very low crime and disorder, however, it was decided following a recent serious sexual assault in the area that we wanted to provide local women the opportunity to learn some basic self-defence techniques.

"The Willerby Parish Council was very keen to help support us and have kindly funded the classes.

"I hope the classes provide residents with the opportunity to feel confident and also have some fun in the process. It is a low-crime area but it's about doing something positive."

Those who have signed up are aged between 16 and women in their 40s, although any over 16 can attend.

Pc White said: "To have got 18 so far is a cracking response and we hope more will follow.

"As long as you are over 16 you can come along, even if it is someone in their 80s.

"The course aims to give a basic insight into self-defence techniques and if afterwards the women feel they would benefit from further tuition Steve will be running additional classes at the centre."

He added: "Steve is very passionate about what he does and that shows. He's very good at getting it across and I'm sure he'll put these women at ease."

Anyone who would like to attend can turn up at the centre or telephone Rachel Kay or Natalie Bingham on (01482) 597934.