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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

In not wanting my son to go to school tomorrow?

58 replies

CFAW · 09/05/2011 18:33

Today we received a letter from school, it read..

9 May 2011

Dear Parents & Carers

As you may be aware from press reports this week, police have made an arrest following incidents in which children were approached outside various schools in the watford area.

We will remind the children about "stranger danger" in school, but please make sure that you also speak to your children about strangers. If you are concerned about anyone watching suspiciously near schools or playgrounds, please call the police.

I am actually really panicking, this guy has attempted to take 7 children now. He was arrested on Friday released on bail, and attempted another snatch yesterday.

The victims have been boys and girls, all different ages. He sounds desperate.

I want my son to stay home. What do you all think?

OP posts:
GypsyMoth · 09/05/2011 18:35

have heard of these...but how long wouldd you keep him home for?

and what would you tell the school?

noblegiraffe · 09/05/2011 18:35

If the police have arrested him then he'll be in custody? I mean, if he attempted another snatch after being released on bail, they'll have taken him back in surely?

BeerTricksPotter · 09/05/2011 18:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mutt · 09/05/2011 18:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

whatliesbeneath · 09/05/2011 18:41

Can you walk him to school and collect him yourself?

Birdsgottafly · 09/05/2011 18:41

If you are available to keep him safe at home then why carn't you take him to school instead?

Original poster
CFAW · 09/05/2011 18:42

Well he is 4 so i can tell the school what i like.

I am not going to keep him off, I just really want to. It would be terribly UN British of me to keep him off i know, i am just so frightened.

OP posts:
Original poster
CFAW · 09/05/2011 18:43

I do take him to school and pick him up every day. I am frightened about playtime, the guy sounds like he is desperate and would snatch any kid he could.

OP posts:
Mutt · 09/05/2011 18:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LIZS · 09/05/2011 18:47

Surely he won't be released again having breached bail anyway. If you were worried you wouldn't have sent him last week.

BeerTricksPotter · 09/05/2011 18:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

whatliesbeneath · 09/05/2011 18:47

I'm sure the school will have staff walking around the
Yard at play time to keep an eye on the children.
Try not to panic.

Original poster
CFAW · 09/05/2011 18:49

Mutt, i would have some faith if the school were on top of the security, but they are not. gates are left open. People buzzed in without a question. I know it will be tighter now. Just cant help but worry!

OP posts:
Original poster
CFAW · 09/05/2011 18:51

LIZS, i didn't know about it last week!

Beertricks, i am going to mention the gate being left open to the teacher tomorrow.

OP posts:
ForeverNamechanging · 09/05/2011 18:51

The man has been arrested though....

Mutt · 09/05/2011 18:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

squeakytoy · 09/05/2011 18:52

I think you really do need to calm down

www.heart.co.uk/watfordhemel/news/local/abduction-reports-not-true/

Original poster
CFAW · 09/05/2011 18:54

As far as i know he has been released until the end of May, but attempted another snatch yesterday. We have not really been informed of anything, only what the letter says.

Mutt, you are right, i should have mentioned the gate before, rather than just grumbling about it to the other mums.

OP posts:
Original poster
CFAW · 09/05/2011 18:55

Excuse me squeakytoy, i am calm thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
CFAW · 09/05/2011 18:56

That says the abductions are not true! we know, he attempted to abduct A little girl went missing and was found, and the rumor mill went into overdrive.

OP posts:
GypsyMoth · 09/05/2011 18:59

sounds a bit ott.....how about it was a prank caller,who has now been arrested and bailed,hence the 'not true' statement??

sleepingsowell · 09/05/2011 18:59

I sympathise - it's really deeply worrying to hear something like that, and at 4 they are so little and unable to protect themselves.
It goes against the protective instinct to wave them off into the care of others.
However I think what I would do is to arrange to speak to the Head tomorrow so that you can get face to face reassurance that security has been tightened. You've then done what could be expected of any responsible parent.

Just bear in mind that the letter states the children were approached OUTSIDE school anyway. People like that thrive on opportunity, and there is FAR less opportunity when the kids are in school. It is pick up and drop off that would be the more risky times and you're there then anyway.

I think bearing all that in mind you just have to swallow your worries and think that there is nothing else you CAN do, otherwise you'd never send him anywhere.

GypsyMoth · 09/05/2011 19:00

that girl could have wandered off....and found

Mutt · 09/05/2011 19:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

squeakytoy · 09/05/2011 19:05

It could even be a father who is trying to find his son, and is asking other kids if they know of him. (Happens quite a lot and happened very recently in the area where I live. The man was just a desperate bloke whose ex had done a runner with another man and was refusing to let him see his boy).