Concern at 'streetfighting' lessons

Paul Wheeler insists his classes are about self defence

Police have said they are "extremely concerned" about a man offering classes in streetfighting.

Paul Wheeler, from Larkfield, near Maidstone in Kent, gave up his existing job to set up a school of fighting.

He said he eventually wants to see his pupils fighting each other.

But his methods have come under fire from both Kent Police and experts in combat sports.

Mr Wheeler already has six pupils for his school - The PW School of Fighting.

The 20-year-old has been studying martial arts since he was nine and has set up his own form, which he calls 'streetfighting'.

I'm one of those people who doesn't really like letting people get away with anything unreasonable Paul Wheeler

He has insisted it is a form of self-defence and said it is designed to help victims rather than create trouble.

Mr Wheeler told the BBC: "I'm one of those people who doesn't really like letting people get away with anything unreasonable.

"But I'm not the sort of person who goes out looking for a fight, definitely not."

He said his skills could be used to stop someone being unreasonable "by fighting with them on the street".

He has delivered leaflets for his classes to homes around the Borough Green area and said self-defence around pubs and clubs is part of the syllabus.

Police concerns

The leaflets say his £7.50 lessons have "been devised with realism and simplicity in mind" and that he "has pride in sharing his work for the benefit of others".

Paul Hennessey of the Ring Contact Sports Association said: "If somebody asks you to sign away your rights you should immediately be suspicious, especially with a contact sport.

"All the governing bodies provide insurance for accidents and injuries and you don't need to sign anything away."

A statement from Kent Police said: "The Chief Constable is extremely concerned regarding the open advertisement of an institution devoted to the furtherance of what may become unlawful behaviour.

"He will be consulting with local authorities about the matter."

Mr Wheeler told the BBC he would stop his classes if told to, but would never stop fighting himself.