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US martial arts killing techniques of special forces spark storm in Hackney
AN American martial arts expert has sparked fury with his plans to host self-styled "how to kill" self-defence lessons in the borough.
Muscle-bound Tim Larkin teaches lethal, hand-to-hand combat techniques to help people stand up to violent criminals.
Politicians and religious leaders have condemned the instructor for glorifying violence.
Cllr Patrick Vernon, of Queensbridge ward, said Larkin was not welcome in the borough.
He said: "This training simply glorifies violence and is purely a money-making exercise targeting vulnerable people or exacerbating fragile relationships with the gangs and postcode turf wars locally."
Darell Philip, a communications officer with the Hackney Seventh Day Adventist Church in Haggerston Road, said: "This training provides no solutions to the root cause of violence, but just puts young people's lives at more risk.
" "Our message was that they should put down the guns and knives and treasure their life and their community. How can this be achieved by promoting combat violence techniques?"
Larkin, from Las Vegas, California, has more than 20 years' experience training members of the US Navy Seals, FBI and US marshals.
His Target Focus Training teaches people in two days how to kill without weapons.
Defending his controversial techniques, Mr Larkin told the Gazette his moves should be used only in self-defence.
Cllr Alan Laing, Hackney Council's Cabinet member for neighbourhoods said:
"Mr Larkin is mistaken if he thinks that Hackney residents require his services
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