How can I keep DS safe in future>

[ReanimatedSGB]

DS got attacked on his way home by a gang of teenagers, one of whom threatened him with a knife. They only ran off when some adults approached and shouted at them.
We have filed a report with the police, who think there might be CCTV footage so possibly a chance of catching the little shits. DS will be coming home via different routes in future.

But how can I keep my kid safe? I keep wondering what might have happened if the adults hadn't been nearby. (THe attackers wanted money or valuables - DS didn't have any money or his phone with him. )

Where do you live? I'd be seriously considering moving if this is the sort of thing that happens in my local area.

Poor boy. I don't know what the answer is. Our children need to be out and about doing their things. Frightening

We are in South London. Moving isn't an option (terrible credit rating, no money, on housing benefit and my main job is local, he loves his school and has local friends.) I'm also not sure anywhere else would necessarily be any better.

I'm going to get him into self-defence classes (for confidence, awareness of his envrionment etc) and both I and the police officer who took the crime report have said: stick to main roads and stick with your friends when you're travelling around.

Sound advice. Main roads. Well lit. No ear buds or whatever they're called so you can hear what's going on around.

Hey. Are you SGB? #slow

No advice OP but I’m sorry to hear what happened to DS I hope he is ok.

Pick him up and drop him off?

Happened round here over the weekend to a mum (her DS) on a local Facebook page. Very prosperous town in the South East. So it really doesn't matter where you live and is unpleasant regardless of location.

He's basically OK. He was upset and scared (understandably) when he came home, but unhurt. He's about to go to bed, hopefully won't have nightmares. I am writing him a note for school tomorrow to say why he hasn't completed tonight's homework (he really is a bit too shaken up to concentrate) and also to suggest they warn other pupils to avoid that specific area - or at least give them all some basic street safety reminders.

But I keep going over it. Some little shit waved a knife in my baby's face and threatened to use it on him. I told DS that they were probably trying to frighten him and wouldn't actually have hurt him, but I honestly don't know what would have happened if not for the adults coming past at that moment. I feel a bit sick.

Dear God RSGB

Get an old, cheap / broken phone and get him to keep it in his pocket.
If he gets threatened, throw the phone and run.

That's actually not a bad idea Voice of Reason. I have a clapped out old handset that I could give him for that purpose.

Could you get him a bike (and bike lock) for getting to and from places?

Classes in self defence are a brilliant idea!

I don't fancy his chances on a bike (too much traffic round here). Also, as the police told us, the same gang had attacked another kid about 20 minutes before they got to mine, and had taken that kid's bike, so I think a bike might make matters worse.

How awful. How old is he?

Could he team up with some other kids and walk home together? I'm sure there must be other parents worried as well...

Do any of his friends get picked up from school? Could their parents give him a lift, even if for a week or two until the attackers are caught?

personal attack alarm and a defence spray?

yy to the old phone thing.
They are more likely to leave him if they think he has handed it over.

bloody awful though

It’s awful op and when your baby is threatened and you weren’t there it starts a load of anxiety and guilt in you and it’s bloody horrible.

Look it could happen anywhere. The police advice was spot on and please remember violent crime is still rare. The phone idea is great.

Hope he’s ok. My guess is he will recover far quicker than you will op xx

He went off to school brightly enough after a good night's sleep. And I dropped in on the local gym/fitness place who said, bring him in for a try out session Monday evening. They were very nice and reassuring (they do all sorts and recommended MMA/self defence) and it's not too expensive, so we wil see how that goes.
No word from the police yet, but they reckoned it would take a couple of days to get the CCTV footage.

How frightening. Hope he/you ok.

Have you informed the school? It may be they can encourage the walking home in groups. They'll have a link police person/PCSO in all likelihood who may be able to support in some way.

Horrible thing to happen.

Be aware
Walk with purpose
No iphone out!!!!
No headphones in
Main roads not cut throughs

However he could do all that and still be mugged/attacked if people are out looking for trouble.