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!

Well yes now that you’ve announced to the internet the roads an unattended child will be walking along.

I'm afraid I think that's too young. That area around the Westway can be really dodgy and with dark mornings and early evenings creeping in, I think you're taking a real risk with her safety.

Trust your instincts, I worked in this area for many years. It is a doggy area. Could she take the 316 bus? Have a look at tfl map of the bus route.

I meant dodgy area !!!!

Could she scoot? It always feels safer when they are moving faster.
It is. Dodgy area with a couple of specific features eg passing under the Westway can feel intimidating. But that time of day is really busy with lots of families are there are a lot of schools close by.
Scooter would be my preferred choice

No way in hell

No, I really wouldn’t be happy with this. I’m very familiar with the area and the Westway can be intimidating. Not something I’d want DD doing by herself at a young age.

Edmonton? Wrong Latymer/Latimer.

OP I have to say that as a Londoner who generally feels very safe, I dislike that westway area a lot. So I would say no.

It's Latimer not latymer

If you wouldn't feel completely comfortable walking that route as a grown woman then there's no way I'd be letting my child walk it alone or with friends their age. Do you normally walk with her or pick her up in the car? You could maybe suggest she sets off from school with her friends & you set off the same time so she's walking with friends to meet you part way & you so you'll be nearby if she needs you. Or if you meet her at school tell her she can walk ahead with her friends so it looks like she's on her own when in reality you're there to keep an eye out. If it's a bad area then I wouldn't be taking any chances with her safety, there's too many dangerous people in this world to take chances with your kids.

It's a no from me.

I worked in the Old Brewery on Bramley Road, literally 200 yards from Latymer Road station, for 20+ years - the company gifted me a rape alarm in my Welcome Pack! A big no from me... there are all sorts of dodgy types between there and Ladbroke Grove, not worth the risk - good luck!

I'm quite comfortable generally in a lot of west London but feel uncomfortable around there. Between that part of the Westway and nearby canal are dodgy.

Teach her awareness etc. and absolutely not on her own in the darker winter days.