Boxing trainer issues knife crime warning for Sheffield area town

Andy Marlow has lived in Dronfield for the last 20 years, having moved there from Gleadless Valley for a better quality of life.

But, after a recent incident in which three men were stabbed at a local pub, he thinks its reputation is under threat.

"Dronfield has a really good environment and good kids and schools," said Andy.

"But I just had a gut feeling that this was an issue and then there was this attack "

The 44-year-old said that the issue is close to his heart as one of the injured men was a former pupil of his at the recently closed S18 community boxing gym Dronfield.

On top of that he has two children himself - a boy aged 11 and a girl aged 9 - and he is concerned about what the area will be like when they get a bit older.

Now Andy is trying to set up a community action group to combat what he sees as a growing problem in the area.

"Gleadless Valley used to be one of the most desirable places to live but is now one of the worst," he said.

"I don't want the same to happen here."

Since S18 closed, Andy has been working with students at the De Hood Gym on Manor Top.

South Yorkshire Police say there has been a 60 per cent drop in crime in the area since the boxing and mixed-martial arts gym opened on Prince of Wales Road.

Police are still appealing for information following the assault which took place at The Talbot pub on Stubley Lane in Dronfield on Friday, January 12, at 11.20pm.

Two men were assaulted inside the pub and one outside, with all three requiring hospital treatment.

DC Gavin Hooton said: “I would like to speak to anyone who was at the pub on the evening of January 12 who may have information relating to this incident.

“As part of the ongoing investigation I would like to further understand what took place to lead to the altercation and assault.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Derbyshire police on 101 quoting reference number 18000019308.