A RISING number of teenage girls are said to be joining self-defence classes following a spate of attacks in the borough.

The number of women attending the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class in Hammersmith has increased six fold, according to martial arts instructor Sarah Merriner.

Five teens were convicted of a bus station stabbing in early October and another teen was left fighting for his life in September after being stabbed near the Hammersmith Apollo.

Sarah, who started the lessons three weeks ago at Carlson Gracie gym in Kings Street, Hammersmith, said: "People want self-defence, we teach it as a sport, but Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the most effective martial art in defending yourself.

"Ground fighting eliminates the element of surprise. We look at positioning and blocking joints or choking. It can be seen as intimidating but we’re only grappling, it’s about knowing what you’re doing.

"There was a great demand for the women-only lessons, and we’re seeing a steady increase in the women coming along. They say they want to learn self-defence."

Sarah teaches the women-only groups including many Muslim women who want to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – known for being one of the best martial arts for self-defence.

She has trained in martial arts for 10 years and in Jiu Jitsu for three and a half years, and believes that the sport has the most appeal to teens and their parents.

But Sarah worries that more women are missing out of the valuable protection skills with the lack of instructors to meet the demand.

She said: "I’m strained trying to provide all the lessons people want. I’m always asked to do more. There are just not enough women instructors to meet the demand. I think there are only 20 in the whole country. Everyone wants these classes, but we just haven’t reached out to the women yet. It’s just beginning now."

Lessons are on Saturdays 11am, at Carols Gracie Gym, Kings Street, Hammersmith.