Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Young children on the train on their own...

133 replies

highlandcrusader · 13/09/2023 15:45

I'm on a train from SE to Scotland. 5 young children, ages between 2 - 13 I would say got on and settled on the seats near me (table seats area). They all looked absolutely exhausted and all feel asleep as soon as they sat down. There are no parents or carers anywhere near. Also, they smell quite bad, like they haven't washed in a while.
AIBU to think this is weird?

I know it's none of my business but it feels strange to me. Especially the little one who can't be older than 2 should not be on a train without an adult?

OP posts:
Binjob118 · 13/09/2023 15:48

Maybe talk to train staff sounds concerning

Original poster
highlandcrusader · 13/09/2023 15:49

Yeah I think I might. Problem is I'm stuck in my seat, with one them asleep next to me, head on the table.
Maybe when someone walks past..

OP posts:
SisterJo · 13/09/2023 15:50

Talk to the oldest child? Ask them if everything is ok, and where their parents are?

MotherEarthisaTerf · 13/09/2023 15:51

I might text british transport police? Let them decide whether it meets safeguarding concerns.

Binjob118 · 13/09/2023 15:51

Poor things. Could you perhaps get attention of another passenger?

MotherEarthisaTerf · 13/09/2023 15:51

Text 61016

DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 13/09/2023 15:52

BTP

You can text BTP with a concern and they can meet the train at the next station.

PinkFootstool · 13/09/2023 15:52

Please text BTP Scotland on 61016. They can get on the train / speak to the staff on the train ASAP.

https://www.btp.police.uk/lt/local-teams/scotland/north/#:~:text=Here%20you%20will%20find%20out,50%2040%20or%20text%2061016.

PinkFootstool · 13/09/2023 15:53

Oh, same text number if you're still in England.

SafariLife · 13/09/2023 15:54

Pls text or speak to guard. The problem is if they are sitting next to you other passengers and staff even are going to assume they are WITH you so won’t have their concerns raised as you have.

Reachingreach · 13/09/2023 15:54

Definitely contact the police, this is a safeguarding issue - better to alert someone. Really unusual.

Spirallingdownwards · 13/09/2023 15:55

Are you sure the one you think is 13 isn't actually 16 or similar? Potentially it's kids going to visit a non residential parent and they are used to this if they aren't showing any signs of distress.

Foggyfoggyfoggy · 13/09/2023 15:55

I would be contacting the police tbh...

WhateverMate · 13/09/2023 15:55

highlandcrusader · 13/09/2023 15:49

Yeah I think I might. Problem is I'm stuck in my seat, with one them asleep next to me, head on the table.
Maybe when someone walks past..

No you're not stuck.

Just say 'Excuse me please' and go and speak to the staff.

You'd have to move them if it was your stop or you needed the toilet.

Needmorelego · 13/09/2023 15:55

I agree with the suggestion to text BTP (British Transport Police) on 61016.
Remember their slogan - "If you see something that doesn't look right text BTP on 61016". This is clearly something that doesn't look right.

Original poster
highlandcrusader · 13/09/2023 15:56

Just spoken to a member of staff who walked past. She said she thought there was a dad with them when they got on but will go and find out.

OP posts:
Spirallingdownwards · 13/09/2023 15:56

Just ask them.

Weedoormatnomore · 13/09/2023 15:56

Text the number people have suggested. The fact they are sat near you with one on next seat people will think they are with you.

Original poster
highlandcrusader · 13/09/2023 15:57

Just ask them.

they are all fast asleep! the little 2 yo girl has now woken up and is sitting on the floor under the table

OP posts:
jeaux90 · 13/09/2023 15:58

Wake the oldest one up. A 2 year old should not be unsupervised. God I hope there is a good ending to this.

Original poster
highlandcrusader · 13/09/2023 15:58

Text the number people have suggested. The fact they are sat near you with one on next seat people will think they are with you.

I don't think they will because we are very clearly different ethnicity...

OP posts:
WhateverMate · 13/09/2023 15:59

highlandcrusader · 13/09/2023 15:57

Just ask them.

they are all fast asleep! the little 2 yo girl has now woken up and is sitting on the floor under the table

Well wake the oldest one up then and point out no-one's looking after the 2 year old Confused

TokyoSushi · 13/09/2023 16:00

How strange, and definitely not right, although as pp said, maybe they've somehow done it before. Good that you've alerted the train staff, if there's no joy then the BTP text is a good shout.

Original poster
highlandcrusader · 13/09/2023 16:01

the little one had now climbed back on her brother's lap and is again fast asleep.

I'll wait a bit for the member of staff to come back. If she doesn't then I'll wake one of them up.

OP posts:
LondonPapa · 13/09/2023 16:01

highlandcrusader · 13/09/2023 15:58

Text the number people have suggested. The fact they are sat near you with one on next seat people will think they are with you.

I don't think they will because we are very clearly different ethnicity...

And? People could assume you adopted them. Text the number and get BTP involved as this sounds like a safeguarding concern.