Just fishing for opinion - DS is just turned 11y, and in yr 6 at school.
He goes to school which is a 20 minute walk from home.
We live in central London, in a 'naice' area but still central and surrounded by both very privileged and very underprivileged communities within a short walk.
DS would have to walk past a big comprehensive and is close to two other comps, lots of the kids hang out in groups after school and are quite loud and can be a bit intimidating but I've never witnessed anything really disturbing.
DS doesn't want to walk home alone, I don't want him to either and I don't work so collecting him is never a problem.
DH is constantly on my case nagging to know when he will travel to and from school alone, he says I'm holding him back and that he (DS) will always be fearful until we make him do it and push him into more independence.
For context DS goes to a prep with a distinctive uniform and often has a heavy kit bag or instrument as well as his backpack. I feel that he would be a bit of a beacon to be targeted and especially in light of all the knife crime lately in central London I just don't want to risk it.
As I am writing this I've just heard on the radio news of another stabbing in north London (I'm NW) and that most stabbings take place between 4 and 6 pm, they are discussing staggering school finish times!
I've made up my mind and I'm going to carry on collecting him but it will cause arguments as DH feels strongly that he needs to stand on his own two feet more.
Am I being sensibly cautious or am I being over-protective?