AIBU to feel nervous about my 10-year-old DD walking home alone around Latymer Upper Road/Latymer Road station?

[GentleMintCat]

DD has just started Year 6 and a few of her classmates already walk home on their own. They’ve instantly become the “cool ones” in everyone’s eyes, and now she also wants to walk alone.

It’s about a 20-minute walk, going past Latymer Road station, under the Westway, and along Latymer Road. While I do trust her and I want to empower her to become more independent before secondary, I feel really anxious about her walking alone through all that, especially given the level of crime, antisocial behaviour, and groups of teenagers around.

Am I being unreasonable to feel this way? Any thoughts or experiences?

P.S. I made mistake in the subject, it's Latymer station and Latymer road not Latymer upper!

I think men with bad intentions already know where schools are located.

What are you talking about? If you live in a quiet village what on earth is the problem with a 10 year old walking home from school? My children walked for 10 minutes home from age 9 in a village where there was a crossing patrol outside school then had to cross a couple of side roads, my 10 year old granddaughter walked home for 10 minutes in a nice suburb, never any problems.
Although I don't know the area the OP is talking about it doesn't seem an appropriate area for a 10 year old to walk home however.

I do see what you’re saying, just not sure about being so specific with routes that ten year olds are walking alone. You can’t be too careful I don’t think.

I agree!

Would she be walking any part of this alone? If so, could you meet her at that point. I don't know the area so just generalising.

This is what a lot of parents I know did, meet part way /gradually meet further away

Do you mean in London? Or anywhere full stop?
There's plenty of places it's totally fine to let a 10 year old walk on their own

No. I'd agree to pick up her up half way, she can be half cool.
Yanbu. There is a lot of loons who are out of their mind. Society is falling apart.

I'm often on sites like MN and others telling people that London really isn't as dangerous and hellish as many people claim, and that the hysteria about knife crime and abductions is rather laughable.

But, no, not a ten-year-old under the Westway on dark winter evenings. Not even in a group.

Exactly and exactly.

They are walking unaccompanied everywhere in London at 3pm! Most children walk home from year 6, though I do agree that in this particular case it sounds like the route isn’t particularly safe.

Our route is luckily down suburban streets with just one main road to cross, but there are shortcuts/alleyways I wouldn’t allow DS to use as they are phone theft/mugging hotspots.

Make sure she has a phone and ideally, a personal alarm.

If she can walk with a friend, even part of the way, better.

Agreed but actually naming the quiet stretches where children are unaccompanied isn't particularly wise.

Can you explain pls what do you mean by personal alarm?

Generally that would mean a rape alarm.

Flashing is often a gateway crime to rape. There appears to be a flasher on her route.

I’m not sure I’d be prepared to walk that way let alone a young girl in school uniform.

it's a small device that can be carried as a key chain or worn on the wrist, and when activated lets out a very loud noise. A good deterrent if anyone were to attack you.

No chance , sounds like it’s too far , I would not take this risk

Don’t be an irresponsible.l parent.

A ten year old shouldn’t routinely be in situations where the risk needs to be ameliorated by a personal alarm!

She will be in no less danger when she is 11, at secondary, and will pretty much be expected to walk alone. Nor 13, 14 or 15. She will still be a young, unaccompanied female.

Yes, but she will be bigger, stronger, more streetwise, perhaps made friends who she can walk with. Ten year olds, even 11 year olds for that matter should not be put into situations where they are handed alarms and told to get on with it.

Well I'm not sure it's sensible to be announcing it here on social media! Basically informing creepy men that your DD will be walking a specific route alone every day.

Always trust your gut -
you know your DD and you know the area and your gut is telling you it’s too risky -

so don’t do it !!!

you can review as the term / year goes on …

always trust your gut !!

If She’s walking under the westway she’d go via the gym which usually has classes? She past the football pitches and then right towards little scrubs? Sorry I don’t quite get the route she’s taking around there. Generally lots of people out and about going to activities.

I do know the area, and I would share your concerns. I wouldn't want my 12 or 15 yo doing that walk either. Otoh, it is her neighbourhood and st some point she has to start learning to navigate it.

I'm sorry I don't have any good advice. I wimped out and moved from near there to zone 6 when I had kids. Normally I'm a great defender of raising kids in London, but in this case I can only empathise with your dilemma.