Thread: No Police Action Over Child Cage-Fighting

Police have said they are not going to take action against the organisers of a cage fighting event involving children as young as eight.

Footage of the fighting, posted on the internet, provoked a storm of controversy and was condemned by the Government and campaigners.

It shows the schoolboys grappling in a cage without protective padding or headgear in front of a large crowd.

One is shown breaking down in tears during the event at Greenlands New Labour Social Club in Preston earlier this month.

But Lancashire Police says it has looked into the matter fully and decided "there are no issues for us to pursue".


Earlier, the British Cage Fighting Association had described parents who allowed their children to take part as "morons".

The British Medical Association (BMA) also condemned the practice, saying it was "disturbing" that children were not wearing helmets.

A spokesman said: "Boxing and cage fighting are sometimes defended on the grounds that children learn to work through their aggression with discipline and control.

"The BMA believes there are many other sports, such as athletics, swimming, judo and football, which require discipline but do not pose the same threat of brain injury."

The NSPCC expressed concern at the young age of the children taking part.
Chris Cloke, head of child protection awareness at the charity, said: "We would strongly discourage parents from letting their children take part in this kind of fighting.

"It's quite disturbing that some of those involved in the bouts were as young as eight, an age when they are still developing, physically and mentally.

"The organisers of these activities should think very carefully before allowing children to be involved when they are egged on to inflict violence."

And Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt described it as "barbaric" and expressed shock at the apparent lack of restrictions on the activity.


However, father Nick Hartley told Sky News he was happy for his nine-year-old son Kian to take part.

"It's more wrestling than fighting... there's no punching and kicking, it's a controlled sport," he said. "He (Kian) enjoys doing it, so leave him to do it."

Michelle Anderson, who owns the club which staged the event, insisted there was little risk and compared it to boxing.

"The children were grappling. The cage fighting only comes when they get older," she said.

"We hold boxing events here and kids fight then and nobody's complained about that.

"It's just the name cage fighting that people are getting annoyed at or they criticise it because they know nothing about it."

Andy Whiteside, one of the men who trains the children, said: "It's being blown out of all proportion. (Our gym) takes part in tournaments where it's the exact same, it just isn't in a cage."

Sharefight, the company who filmed the event, defended the footage and insisted the fight was in a "safe environment" under strict conditions.

"The event involving the children was submission wrestling. Contact between the participants was restricted at all times," the spokesman said.

"I would liken it to a game of chess, it's about outsmarting your opponent rather than overcoming them."

Despite the criticism, the club has said it intends to stage similar events in the future.


VIDEO Child Cage-Fighting: Lancashire Police Says They'll Take No Action | UK News | Sky News

Originally Posted by English Noodles

New Labour Social Club in Preston

Originally Posted by English Noodles

described parents who allowed their children to take part as "morons".

What else can you expect from Northern Monkeys

I don't see anything wrong with it.

From what I can gather from this story there was no kicking / punching allowed in this bout, so it was little more than a Judo / Jiu Jitsu bout. I'm sure there are kids in competitions the world over at this age. Because it's in a cage, people think it's pit fighting. Ridiculous. Also reports of one of the kids crying? Reaction to adrenaline imo.

Me neither actually.

I started boxing at 11. Didn't do me any harm.

Originally Posted by alwarner

Also reports of one of the kids crying?

Apparently it's because it was the first fight he lost.

Originally Posted by Gerbil

Apparently it's because it was the first fight he lost.

It was a draw.

Originally Posted by Gerbil

Originally Posted by alwarner

Also reports of one of the kids crying?

Apparently it's because it was the first fight he lost.

fair enough.

The guy in the video looks like his metal plate is sliding out the back of his head.




Gotta train the little darlings for fighting away on the football terraces.


Millwall away love it!

The British Cage Fighting Association are describing parents who allow their children to take part as "morons."

At one point a paramedic comes into the ring to check on the lad that was crying.

I'm siding with the BCFA on this one.

Originally Posted by Anteak

I'm siding with the BCFA on this one.

They are obviously just distancing themselves from something that is likely to be perceived rightly or wrongly by the general public as being a negative thing for the sport. It doesn't mean to say that is their true view on the matter, it's just the view they have assessed as need to be seen as taking to protect an already fragile image.

Originally Posted by English Noodles

It doesn't mean to say that is their true view on the matter, it's just the view they have assessed as need to be seen as taking to protect an already fragile image.

the gospel according to Noodles



there has too be plenty of folks who are glad you ain't a politician Noodles

Originally Posted by Gerbil

I started boxing at 11. Didn't do me any harm.

That's certainly wide open to debate.

And I suggest starting a completely new "cretin" thread to discuss it!

^ I could come out of retirement if you like..... On Nut Beer garden?

Originally Posted by Gerbil

^ I could come out of retirement if you like..... On Nut Beer garden?

Take my advice..the way you post it appears you've lost (damaged) enough brain cells for any one lifetime!

Isn't this just a Jiu Jitsu match in a cage??? Why the uproar?

^^ Fair enough. I realise that most of your free time is taken up with browsing german katoey porn sites.

Northern Monkey see, Northern Monkey do.

Originally Posted by Gerbil

Fair enough. I realise that most of your free time is taken up with browsing german katoey porn sites.

How the fuck did you know that?

p.s. Just how close are you to "pupa"?

Seriously, if you want to see a load of northern wankers rolling around grappling, just hang around Wetherspoons in Blackburn at closing time.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Seriously, if you want to see a load of northern wankers rolling around grappling, just hang around Wetherspoons in Blackburn at closing time.

Seriously, "arry" not only in Blackburn and not only at closing time.

They should tie the kids left wrists together and give them each a hammer in the right hand. That'd make it more interesting.

Originally Posted by Koojo

They should tie the kids left wrists together and give them each a hammer in the right hand. That'd make it more interesting.

"Club Ammer" or "Claw" ?

Originally Posted by Gerbil

Me neither actually.

I started boxing at 11. Didn't do me any harm.

And finished at 11:01

^Boom tish....