Students trained in self-defence

Women students at Leeds University are being given self-defence lessons by West Yorkshire police officers.

The classes start on Thursday and will continue into March as part of an initiative by the students' union.

Students will receive the same basic self-defence skills that police officers are taught when they join the force.

Organisers of the workshops claim they will give the women a greater degree of reassurance.

Extra step

Ch Insp Keith Boughen said: "This limited training is being provided as a result of an approach from the students' union and while it is statistically unlikely people will ever need self-defence skills, having them can improve self confidence.

"This is simply an extra step we can take to reassure students and show them how to protect themselves."

Kim Shutler, the women's officer at Leeds University students' union, said there has been such interest in the classes that more are planned for later in the year.

"We encourage everyone to take advantage of all the advice on offer and to avoid taking risks at all costs," she said.