4 year old out alone in the dark

[Wingingthis]

Was just dropping DH at the train station. It’s down some residential roads but it is a very sketchy area known for crime/not nice individuals.
Turned into a road and thank god i was going very slowly as a boy of about 4 max was just stood in the middle of the road wearing a dark coat and just froze. He then ran off as i braked. There was no one else around that we could see but as we were less than 2 mins drive from the station I dropped DH and then came back to see if I could find the boy to check he was okay (as in not lost etc he was meters from my car just to be clear!)
Couldn’t find the poor boy anywhere and now I’m panicking thinking about him out there alone in the dark/cold/rain!
Am I over reacting? I know it’s not super late but he just looked so young!

No you're not reacting. Call the police op.

That should say over reacting

Call the police.

Phone the police!!!

Call the police. It's too cold dark and dangerous for a 4 year old to be out alone!

Yes call the police. He’s either lost or being neglected.

I agree, call the police. It could be entirely innocent but better safe than sorry.

My immediate though was call police. This happened to me once with a 3yo girl and her dog.

By the time I turned around she was no where to been seen. She'd been wearing vest pants and wellies.

She'd woken up early and in her sweet little 3yo mind thought she was doing everyone a favour walking the dog.

Gave her parents (and me!) the fright of our lives!

police, now! Why wouldn't you do that straight away??

Jesus Christ why do folks always ask what to do on an internet forum when they bloody well KNOW they need to call the police/doctor/hospital/variation thereof..

It beggars belief.

Definitely call the police.

Police now! I hope child is safe.

I have called 101 and reported it.

So you saw the child on his own? Didn't call the police. Continued to the station. Came home. Posted on a forum 🤷🏼‍♀️

On holiday once in Yorkshire we came across a boy of about 5 on a scooter in the middle of the road, a long way from anywhere. We took him back to the caravan park he was staying at, and his dad just said "oh he's always going off scootering" and didn't seem in the slightest bit bothered. Some parents are just not interested.

So you saw the child on his own? Didn't call the police. Continued to the station. Came home. Posted on a forum 🤷🏼‍♀️

This.

He probably just went back indoors - lots if kids are allowed to ‘play out’

So you saw the child on his own? Didn't call the police. Continued to the station. Came home. Posted on a forum 🤷🏼‍♀️

I know, ffs. I hope the child hasn't been run down.

I continued to the station as he literally ran off and I could see where he had gone? So dropped DH which literally look less than 2 mins and then circled round the roads looking for the boy....have now reported it so it’s not as if I have done nothing!

My thought exactly about kids being allowed to “play out”. I would never do this with my children but I know people have different views on this hence me asking if I’m over reacting

Well if someone is allowing a 4yo to play out in the dark then the police need to have a word and get them on the radar of social services.