Beware - Watch out for this one!!

[fredfloggle]

And we wonder why our kids lack social skills.

My son walks 2 miles every day to go to and from school. When they were too young to walk on their own - ie they could not safely cross the road, I walked to school to pick them up. Trick or treating was never done unaccompanied.

Sensible precautions are what's needed with children - not paranioa

I've seen the results of some "social skills" -

Whilst I consider that I live in a "nice area" , I'm not sure what age I will be comfortable with my kids walking to school.

I had a little google and found http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6720661.stm

which also contained this:-


What has happened in the last 30 years or so? The risk of abduction remains tiny. In Britain, there are now half as many children killed every year in road accidents as there were in 1922 - despite a more than 25-fold increase in traffic.

 

[GRAV888]

To pick up on point Pammy made about walking to school, I used to either walk or ride my pushbike and so did my mates.
There was hardly an overweight kid at school then and I wonder if it would be the same now if parents didn't feed their kids McD's and drive them 300yds to school in a chelsea tractor

 

[Colin_b]

You also forgot to add "and make sure that Charlie Chester the Child Molester" is firmly behind bars - I can't honestly consider allowing my kids to walk to school while I feel that they are at risk - and I live in what is considered "a nice area"

I'd go back to the earlier point - training. Not allowing children to walk because of the risk of the nonce lurking in the bushes, is in my view, not helping them long term.

 

[fredfloggle]

I'd go back to the earlier point - training. Not allowing children to walk because of the risk of the nonce lurking in the bushes, is in my view, not helping them long term.

I'd like to know how you train the kids not to get found in a shallow grave, but possibly there is a method that works .


To stop it happening we have to get rid of one corner of the triangle - either the kids , walking home or the nonce, other than that apart from the obvious and making sure the kids know the rules about talking to strangers, there is not a lot else you can do . Unfortunately it's not just about Charley Chesters' but other factors dependant on where you live.

It is very much a personal thing, with no right or wrong answer - you must do what you feel comfortable with.

 

[GRAV888]

I'd like to know how you train the kids not to get found in a shallow grave, but possibly there is a method that works .


To stop it happening we have to get rid of one corner of the triangle - either the kids , walking home or the nonce, other than that apart from the obvious and making sure the kids know the rules about talking to strangers, there is not a lot else you can do . Unfortunately it's not just about Charley Chesters' but other factors dependant on where you live.

It is very much a personal thing, with no right or wrong answer - you must do what you feel comfortable with.

I agree.
Wear a condom and you have removed 1 side of the triangle, the kids
You'll also have more money.

 

[fredfloggle]

I agree.
Wear a condom and you have removed 1 side of the triangle, the kids
You'll also have more money.

Quite - thanks for reminding me .

On with "unchained melody" on the CD player and out with a rope around a roof joist.

And not only that they put the bloody interest rates down not up, can't they do anything right ? I want 13.8% on my savings - I had to pay it years ago , now I want it.

 

[Colin_b]

I'd like to know how you train the kids not to get found in a shallow grave, but possibly there is a method that works .


To stop it happening we have to get rid of one corner of the triangle - either the kids , walking home or the nonce, other than that apart from the obvious and making sure the kids know the rules about talking to strangers, there is not a lot else you can do . Unfortunately it's not just about Charley Chesters' but other factors dependant on where you live.

It is very much a personal thing, with no right or wrong answer - you must do what you feel comfortable with.

Well, the biggest sex predator risk to kids is from family and friends, not strangers. I suspect the kids are at more risk being driven in a car - accident, no excercise, no interaction with their peers.

Both mine walked to school from an early age. Accompanied by a parent at first, then with a group, then alone from about 10 yrs. They learnt to be aware of risks, and enjoyed the independance. As you say, its a personal choice.

 

[fredfloggle]

Well, the biggest sex predator risk to kids is from family and friends, not strangers. I suspect the kids are at more risk being driven in a car - accident, no excercise, no interaction with their peers.

Both mine walked to school from an early age. Accompanied by a parent at first, then with a group, then alone from about 10 yrs. They learnt to be aware of risks, and enjoyed the independance. As you say, its a personal choice.

It's better they stay out of the house at that rate...

I also walked to school , but then isn't now.

 

[Dryce]

I'd go back to the earlier point - training. Not allowing children to walk because of the risk of the nonce lurking in the bushes, is in my view, not helping them long term.

Part of the problem is that if you are a parent who lets their kids walk to school or the shops then you stand out to be criticised and if anything happens it's your fault.

Problem is that people don't evaluate risk properly and we live in a world where everything is spiced up out of proportion.

 

[glojo]

Problem is that people don't evaluate risk properly and we live in a world where everything is spiced up out of proportion.

Is the problem any worse today compared to twenty years ago? What about comparing the UK to the rest of Europe? I fear that some modern British parents leave a lot to be desired regarding their children, but are our children anymore at risk?

John

 

[gl boy]

we cannot wrap our kids in cotton wool they need to see the world and informed about all its nasty things and we have to be their to guide and look after them.crazy though that a child under 11 being left to roam the streets .also there is a lot of over played news report about things that go on around the world..COMMON SENSE at the end of the day should prevail regards jon

 

[Dryce]

Is the problem any worse today compared to twenty years ago? What about comparing the UK to the rest of Europe? I fear that some modern British parents leave a lot to be desired regarding their children, but are our children anymore at risk?

I recall getting into a heated and emotional argument with two parents after the Jamie Bulger murder who said they wouldn't let their kids out alone. The stats quoted at the time said that the risk was *lower* than when I was a kid. Moreover the incident that got them worried (the Bulger case) was totally exceptional and bore no relationship to the risk they perceived their kids were being exposed to.

In general I'm shocked at how bad people, even professionals, are at dealing with stats or risk assessment.

 

[fredfloggle]

I'm not sure how you can carry out a risk assessment on the chances of being abducted (well I'm sure people make lots of money trying though) - It's like pointing to a bush and say "Charley Chester is hiding in there" - because statistically privet hedges are where these people hide - you just can't do that . Area , time of day , time of year , boy or girl - sp many things have a bearing , but one thing I do know , each time I here a sad story with a young child lifted while playing in the street , I ask myslef "what was their mum doing letting them play there?" .
Again depending on where you live there are other issues - you wouldn't want a young kiddy wandering through Borehamwood after school (I wouldn't want to do it either for that matter) . There are times when I pity the older generation having to walk through crowds of kids who won't shift - Only recently I found my path blocked by a heap of pushbikes on the pavement , I looked expectantly for them to be removed to be greeted by the standard british sneer - OK no problem , 4 pushbikes arranged in a heap over the fence - what got me though was the genuinely surprised look that I should object to walking in the road.

 

[Colin_b]

I think part of the problem is that the collective 'we' expect life to be risk free.

The chances of a child in the UK being abducted and killed by a stranger are remote, and certainly no greater than they have beeen over the past 50 years.

Accidents are one of the biggest killers of children in the UK. Last year, around 250 children and young people were killed in accidents. To put this in perspective, this is four times as many children as were killed by family abuse or neglect, and 12 times as many children as were killed by strangers.

 

[pammy]

It's simply the impact of the media. We now hear about abductions and incidents involving children in every detail. Look how much we have been exposed to the Maddie McCann case when compared to Ben Needham. It does not mean there is any greater risk.

There have always been areas where risk of trouble was higher. Look at the Londond Dickens portrayed - it wasn't all fantasy. There have always been gangs of kids, macho adults trying to make a point of intimidating others - it is not a new phenomenon.

All towns and cities have their areas where you wouldn't want to be out alone although the risk at night is not, I don't believe, any greater - it's just the dark etc makes us feel more endangered. And there has always been a difference on perception between parents about how late and where children should be allowed at night. Some parents will always want their children home earlier etc than some others. Most parents though do it out of caring for their children. Sadly others don't

 

[fredfloggle]

I think part of the problem is that the collective 'we' expect life to be risk free.

The chances of a child in the UK being abducted and killed by a stranger are remote, and certainly no greater than they have beeen over the past 50 years.

Accidents are one of the biggest killers of children in the UK. Last year, around 250 children and young people were killed in accidents. To put this in perspective, this is four times as many children as were killed by family abuse or neglect, and 12 times as many children as were killed by strangers.

Absolutely not - however I want to be in charge of the risk - let's face it the UK doesn't exactly have a very nice reputation.

 

[garystu1965]

Wow. This thread has gone from a minor speeding offence to child abduction. Scary.

 

[glojo]

I'm with Pammy over this issue and it is now quite common for 8 year old children to be roaming the streets at 9 - 10pm, and even after midnight. parents and I do not include those on this forum, both parents in general tend to go to work leaving their children to do whatever they want, then they think that sticking the child in front of a play station type gadget or TV is perfectly acceptable instead of spending quality time with their offspring. These children therefore are never taught right from wrong, never taught social skills and never taught respect. That is far more common than child abduction.

Again I agree with Pammy about media coverage and it is this that influences our believes, fears etc. Never mind the privet hedges, or the awful bogey man, I would simply ask when was a child abducted in your area? Is it fair to suggest our country is worse than any other? I think it is unfair. Again it is all to do with publicity and I will very tactfully avoid the McCann case and cite the school trip to France where a man broke into a dormitory, raped and killed an English school child whilst her friends were sleeping nearby. Evidently this evil man travelled across Europe doing this despicable thing, but again, he is a one off although that is of no comfort to the grieving parents. Should we also stop sending our children on organised school trips?

Regards
John

 

[fredfloggle]

I'm with Pammy over this issue and it is now quite common for 8 year old children to be roaming the streets at 9 - 10pm, and even after midnight. parents and I do not include those on this forum, both parents in general tend to go to work leaving their children to do whatever they want, then they think that sticking the child in front of a play station type gadget or TV is perfectly acceptable instead of spending quality time with their offspring. These children therefore are never taught right from wrong, never taught social skills and never taught respect. That is far more common than child abduction.

Again I agree with Pammy about media coverage and it is this that influences our believes, fears etc. Never mind the privet hedges, or the awful bogey man, I would simply ask when was a child abducted in your area? Is it fair to suggest our country is worse than any other? I think it is unfair. Again it is all to do with publicity and I will very tactfully avoid the McCann case and cite the school trip to France where a man broke into a dormitory, raped and killed an English school child whilst her friends were sleeping nearby. Evidently this evil man travelled across Europe doing this despicable thing, but again, he is a one off although that is of no comfort to the grieving parents. Should we also stop sending our children on organised school trips?

Regards
John

Oh John , Bless You , you give me the chance to whine like a spin dryer for hours- but I won't , perhaps it is just my expectation that now I have my own kids that things should be the same as they were when I was younger. I am tired telling my eldest daughter about "pleas and thank you" - yet this is only a new thing learned fom school friends whose parents perhaps don't share my concerns for good manners.

 

[Silestanix]

R.e. The original post, Regardless of what anyone says, that's utterly disgusting behaviour. I actually read this, and my neighbour is over who's a PC with the Met Police; He was pretty shocked and said that you should report the officers.

I'm still sitting here thinking 'No wonder they have such a bad reputation...'...thankfully my neighbour's a good copper who tends to explain other officers actions to me if I have a problem, but this was even beyond him.


Oh...and I'm all for the Recycled/Floggie action group...