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Original poster

BOA area, crime rates

15 replies

Northmole · 27/12/2017 08:00

To those of you who replied about applying at BOA or know the area, how is the crime rate in the area? Not having been here before, I was reading about high crimes north of the BOA. I really wouldn't want to my son and myself to easily wander into a bad situation.
Thanks so much!

OP posts:

Didiusfalco · 27/12/2017 08:39

BOA is just by millennium point and the think tank. I would say it was as safe as anywhere in central Birmingham and there are lots of students round there too. I have walked round there at night and felt fine. When you say north are you thinking of Aston itself? That is not so nice but equally not somewhere your son would need to go while at BOA. To be honest I wouldn’t give it another thought.

Caulk · 27/12/2017 09:27

Same as above, wouldn’t think about it.

Will he get the train home? I see a lot of BOA students at New St as people travel from all over the city so he would be walking back with others too.

KingsHeathen · 27/12/2017 11:08

It's an interesting point.
Did you know that Kings Heath Park and Kings Heath High St are crime hotspots? The park area specifically because of the grammar school pupils being mugged!
It doesn't put people off sending their children to the KEVI Camp Hill grammar schools.
Yes, Digbeth has more crime than other areas, but a lot will be people being mugged or assaulted leaving the clubs, so after midnight etc, which he isn't likely to be doing. Also quite a lot of warehouses in the area, so a lot of the crime will be break-ins etc.
A lot of students go that way, as the UCB also has campus there. Some of their students will be streetwise, but I'm willing to bet many won't. I can't remember which part of US you said you're coming from, but it was a small urban area, yes?
How street is he?

Original poster

Northmole · 27/12/2017 20:09

Not street wise at all. He is very wary, but not tough in the least. If he can even get into the school, I was thinking my husband would go with him on the train to school and pick up as well....but yes, we are very rural and shelteted. 13,0000 people. We have traveled a lot with him (London, etc) And we frequently go to bigger cities here. But he is naive and innocent.

OP posts:

Caulk · 27/12/2017 20:33

Give it a week and he will be fine by himself.

BackforGood · 27/12/2017 22:49

I really can't see him wanting his Dad to take him in to school and pick him up every evening. As Caulk says, give it a week maximum.
As Didiusfalco said, it is really busy around there - loads of students moving about.
Of course, living in a big City is going to be very different from living in such a tiny little town, but youngsters adapt quickly.

Original poster

Northmole · 27/12/2017 23:07

Hes only 13 at the moment. He'll be just 14. That's what parents do here 🤔

OP posts:

Didiusfalco · 27/12/2017 23:17

Honestly, crime rates aren’t you’re problem here, making your son stand out from his peers by getting his dad to take him to school at 13/14 could be though. Most children would travel to secondary school by themselves from age 11 in Birmingham.

Didiusfalco · 27/12/2017 23:17

Your not you’re - sorry!

BackforGood · 27/12/2017 23:35

Yes, as Didiusfalco says, people would generally help their dc 'practice' the school journey in the Summer before they start secondary aged 11. Nobody will be 'escorting' their dc to school at 14yrs. (I realise there will be parents who drop them off on the way to work, or because there is no transport at the right time)

Original poster

Northmole · 27/12/2017 23:48

Sorry! That's just mind blowing coming from here. Kids get bussed or dropped off from parents until they drive. Not at all weird, but kids get snatched all the time here 😩

OP posts:

KingsHeathen · 28/12/2017 01:56

Snatched by whom?
My DD when she began secondary school (they're 11 then) had never been by bus anywhere by herself. (We walked to primary school)
DH put her onto the bus in the morning, I collected her the first couple of days. On the third day, she texted me and said she would get the bus, and that was it!
It's a six mile journey (one bus each way).
There are a lot of students going from city centre to millennium point each day, he'll not be alone.

Original poster

Northmole · 28/12/2017 06:28

Thanks for all the comments, I do feel better about the area. And yes, I'm super paranoid and protective, even in my small community there have been attempts by sickos to grab kids. It's not uncommon here in the states, sadly. It's just a fact of life here we are raised to be on alert.
www.globalincidentmap.com/beta/amber-alert-map

OP posts:

Caulk · 28/12/2017 08:32

There is a vast difference between driving and dropping your child at school and getting the train and then walking with them. Driving to BOA wouldn’t be fun.

Ryebreadandwine · 28/12/2017 17:41

Teen robbery isn’t restricted to the special grammar school kids. Even the plebs are targeted. Mine’s been robbed three times (pleb) Once at knifepoint. Sadly children are at risk all over. Thankfully it’s relatively rare. I know it’s hard but we have to allow them the freedom to build resilience and become independent adults. I hear BOA is a good school. Good luck op.

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