A NEW jiu-jitsu academy is aiming to teach people in the emergency services self-defence amid a huge rise in attacks.

More than 3,500 UK ambulance staff were attacked by members of the public last year – an increase of 30 per cent from three years ago.

Assaults on police officers and firefighters have also greatly increased over the pandemic.

This is why black belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor Gus Oliveira, 44, who has just launched The Academy in Brighton Marina, is teaching them self-defence.

Mr Oliveira said: "We've had the guys from Brighton police, looking at incidents they're having.

"We're teaching them normal jiu-jitsu but they will come to us with different scenarios and ask what would be the best way of dealing with it.

"We talk and we find scenarios and tools to deal with that scenario.

"First and foremost is to be present - to understand what's happening - so your mind doesn't go blank.

"It's funny to hear that a trained police officer can be just like us, their mind can just go blank when violence takes place.

"So when violence takes place, it's best to understand you're being attacked, breath, relax."

The Argus previously reported on the bravery of PC Alex Ferguson who was punched while on duty in Brighton during the height of the coronavirus pandemic

Earlier this month, we reported on the jailing of Paul Cunningham, a grinning thug who sliced a policeman’s leg and told officers he wanted him to die.

Incidents such as these have become increasingly common.

On Christmas Day alone, at least 16 officers were assaulted in Sussex - four in Brighton and Hove.

Mr Oliveira said: "We think there are hundreds of millions of events, but they are actually very similar.

"Drunken people behave similarly, most of the attacks are five different attacks

"So we say, okay let's just find a solution for that and they feel confident, breathe, and act better."

Mr Oliveira and fellow Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt Tom Watson, 42, were due to open The Academy, which overlooks the inner harbour at The Village, in April 2020.

The Argus: Gus Oliveira and Tom Watson

They have been "working tirelessly" to refurbish and create the academy in the site of a former Italian restaurant.

Mr Oliveira, from Rio in Brazil, said. “We saw huge potential to develop it into something really special and create a state of the art martial arts centre to offer the jiu-jitsu lifestyle.

"For us, this means, not only, self-defence, but also diet, exercise, confidence and a way of life."

The facility has showers, changing rooms and lockers - as well as an area for relaxing and watching the classes.

As well as teaching emergency services, they are looking to run anti-bullying classes to help city children improve their confidence.

Mr Watson said: "We had this vision to create a jiu-jitsu Academy where we could offer adults the opportunity to learn a martial art to empower them, as well as offering children bully-proof programmes.

"The kids bully proof programme is world-renowned for both self-defence and building confidence.

"Within the bully-proof curriculum, we cover important topics such as responsibility, health, respect, citizenship, manners & caring.

"The age groups are 5-7 years little champs and 8-12 years junior grapplers."

Classes start from 5 years of age and there is no upper age limit.

Classes will run five days a week with the option of women-only classes.

There is also the option for one-to-ones and special classes for different law enforcement agencies.