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Original poster

AIBU to feel nervous about my 10-year-old DD walking home alone around Latymer Upper Road/Latymer Road station?

88 replies

GentleMintCat · 22/09/2025 11:56

DD has just started Year 6 and a few of her classmates already walk home on their own. They’ve instantly become the “cool ones” in everyone’s eyes, and now she also wants to walk alone.

It’s about a 20-minute walk, going past Latymer Road station, under the Westway, and along Latymer Road. While I do trust her and I want to empower her to become more independent before secondary, I feel really anxious about her walking alone through all that, especially given the level of crime, antisocial behaviour, and groups of teenagers around.

Am I being unreasonable to feel this way? Any thoughts or experiences?

P.S. I made mistake in the subject, it's Latymer station and Latymer road not Latymer upper!

OP posts:
MrsSkylerWhite · 23/09/2025 19:26

No.

Horses7 · 23/09/2025 19:24

Noooooo!!
London seems to be getting more dangerous but I don’t have the stats to prove it.

Coconutter24 · 23/09/2025 18:49

I’d feel even more anxious letting her walk home alone now seen as you’ve shared to a load of strangers the location that a lone 10 year old girl could be walking

Deepbluesea1 · 23/09/2025 18:47

I have no idea what area that is but it's normal to walk to school from y6. Our primary really encouraged it in preparation for secondary. Surly, you don't want to do the school runs when your DC starts y7. You have to start somewhere.

OhMaria2 · 23/09/2025 18:46

GentleMintCat · 22/09/2025 12:18

Latymer Road is my main concern, especially crossing under the Westway. Just two days ago I saw a man with his trousers down there. There’s a lot of unpredictable behaviour in that area and groups of teenagers hanging around and going wild.

The tricky part is that her best friend (from a lovely, very grounded family we really trust and share similar values/parenting approaches) is allowed a similar route. That makes DD feel a bit awkward and me too.

I wouldn’t normally let her walk alone in that area but I can’t help feeling the pressure because of her peers and especially bestie and her family who already invited her few times for after school playdate and suggested they walk together.

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Is this not your answer?

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 23/09/2025 18:44

Nope. Couldn’t give a shit what anyone else is allowing their kids to do. I would not allow my ten year old child to walk in a dodgy area, particularly in winter when it gets dark early.

StepawayfromtheLindors · 23/09/2025 18:44

GentleMintCat · 22/09/2025 12:18

Latymer Road is my main concern, especially crossing under the Westway. Just two days ago I saw a man with his trousers down there. There’s a lot of unpredictable behaviour in that area and groups of teenagers hanging around and going wild.

The tricky part is that her best friend (from a lovely, very grounded family we really trust and share similar values/parenting approaches) is allowed a similar route. That makes DD feel a bit awkward and me too.

I wouldn’t normally let her walk alone in that area but I can’t help feeling the pressure because of her peers and especially bestie and her family who already invited her few times for after school playdate and suggested they walk together.

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Given what you saw two days ago, do you seriously need to ask what people here think?

Jackiepumpkinhead · 23/09/2025 18:37

I’m not a parent but absolutely not!

NebulousWhistler · 23/09/2025 18:35

ladybirdsanchez · 22/09/2025 12:22

There is not a chance in hell that I would let my 10-year-old DD do that! My much older teen DS and many of his friends have been mugged in London in the last two years. One was badly beaten up by a gang of seven, while having all his valuables stolen (phone, laptop, wallet), another was slashed with a knife and thank god it only slashed his t-shirt, my DS was mugged by a gang of five who said they had a knife and would 'shank him' if he didn't hand over his phone. London is not a safe place for children, never has been, but it's particularly dangerous atm.

I disagree. London is no less safe for children walking home from school than anywhere else. If someone “asks” for a phone, you hand it over. Ideally she shouldn’t have it out at all.
They’re also less likely to threaten to stab a girl.
All of that said, one of mine has just started Y7 and I let her walk home alone with an Air tag on keys and school bag but I may rethink it when it gets dark.

Mcoco · 23/09/2025 18:29

No way would i let my kids walk home alone in year 6. Sorry I don't know the area but if you are able to collect your child from school please do. Just say no to your child stick to what you already know is right. Your child will whinge and complain but be strong stand your ground.

Stargazingstargazer · 23/09/2025 18:28

No, I would not. I try never to overrule my gut feeling just because someone I normally trust is doing something different. Given the facts you already have about the area, I cannot imagine taking the risk

wingsanddreams · 23/09/2025 18:26

Why ask? You know it's not safe, from what you wrote. I used to walk home by myself around that age, and met all sorts of men doing all sorts of things to me, or trying to do something to me. No, it's not safe. I was scared and stressed, and had to think of ways to escape so many times. I wish my parents had walked me.

Lizziespring · 23/09/2025 18:24

I live nearby. I wouldn't let a 10 year old child walk home alone under the Westway, no, especially as it's getting dark soon. Around Latimer Road tube's usually fine but not always and there's too many places under Westway for the occasional dodgy person or bunch of teens, to be unseen by other passers by. What is the alternative?

Ketzele · 23/09/2025 18:10

I do know the area, and I would share your concerns. I wouldn't want my 12 or 15 yo doing that walk either. Otoh, it is her neighbourhood and st some point she has to start learning to navigate it.

I'm sorry I don't have any good advice. I wimped out and moved from near there to zone 6 when I had kids. Normally I'm a great defender of raising kids in London, but in this case I can only empathise with your dilemma.

Inspiremeaholiday · 22/09/2025 22:49

If She’s walking under the westway she’d go via the gym which usually has classes? She past the football pitches and then right towards little scrubs? Sorry I don’t quite get the route she’s taking around there. Generally lots of people out and about going to activities.

Bumdrops · 22/09/2025 22:47

Always trust your gut -
you know your DD and you know the area and your gut is telling you it’s too risky -

so don’t do it !!!

you can review as the term / year goes on …

always trust your gut !!

GoodVibesHere · 22/09/2025 22:32

Well I'm not sure it's sensible to be announcing it here on social media! Basically informing creepy men that your DD will be walking a specific route alone every day.

WolfingtonBear · 22/09/2025 22:31

IneedtheeohIneedtheeeveryhourIneedthee · 22/09/2025 22:11

She will be in no less danger when she is 11, at secondary, and will pretty much be expected to walk alone. Nor 13, 14 or 15. She will still be a young, unaccompanied female.

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Yes, but she will be bigger, stronger, more streetwise, perhaps made friends who she can walk with. Ten year olds, even 11 year olds for that matter should not be put into situations where they are handed alarms and told to get on with it.

IneedtheeohIneedtheeeveryhourIneedthee · 22/09/2025 22:11

WolfingtonBear · 22/09/2025 22:08

A ten year old shouldn’t routinely be in situations where the risk needs to be ameliorated by a personal alarm!

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She will be in no less danger when she is 11, at secondary, and will pretty much be expected to walk alone. Nor 13, 14 or 15. She will still be a young, unaccompanied female.

WolfingtonBear · 22/09/2025 22:08

IneedtheeohIneedtheeeveryhourIneedthee · 22/09/2025 14:46

Make sure she has a phone and ideally, a personal alarm.

If she can walk with a friend, even part of the way, better.

A ten year old shouldn’t routinely be in situations where the risk needs to be ameliorated by a personal alarm!

Lighteningstrikes · 22/09/2025 21:58

Don’t be an irresponsible.l parent.

fruitypancake · 22/09/2025 21:54

No chance , sounds like it’s too far , I would not take this risk

IneedtheeohIneedtheeeveryhourIneedthee · 22/09/2025 21:45

GentleMintCat · 22/09/2025 18:47

Can you explain pls what do you mean by personal alarm?

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it's a small device that can be carried as a key chain or worn on the wrist, and when activated lets out a very loud noise. A good deterrent if anyone were to attack you.

BundleBoogie · 22/09/2025 19:02

GentleMintCat · 22/09/2025 18:47

Can you explain pls what do you mean by personal alarm?

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Generally that would mean a rape alarm.

Flashing is often a gateway crime to rape. There appears to be a flasher on her route.

I’m not sure I’d be prepared to walk that way let alone a young girl in school uniform.

Original poster
GentleMintCat · 22/09/2025 18:47

IneedtheeohIneedtheeeveryhourIneedthee · 22/09/2025 14:46

Make sure she has a phone and ideally, a personal alarm.

If she can walk with a friend, even part of the way, better.

Can you explain pls what do you mean by personal alarm?

OP posts:
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