So do I need to stop taking my two dd's for walks down lanes now???

[emkana]

Is this what the world has come to?

We regularly go for walks in the local park. Quiet lanes, surrounded by houses.

Does the stabbing mean that I should stop doing this now??? Is it not safe to go for walks???

What do you all do?

yes, now we are in with the landlord and landlady, we often get invited to stay. I left dh there last time and came home on my own.

I have to say that I feel much more hemmed in now we've moved to Worcester from Croydon. Wouldn't think twice about wandering around Croydon in the day with or without kids - just so many people about. Here there's several paths which are pretty overgrown and no-one about. There's a lovely walk in nearby woods which I just wouldn't go alone with the kids during the week. At least the parks in Croydon and surrounding areas were well populated.

Of course, the irony is that the risk was probably far higher in Croydon... but I feel less safe here.

how many times have you heard of it happening - I can think of two - this one and the one a few years back when mother and daughter were hit with a hammer, other daughter survived.

That means it is really rare and really shouldn't stop you living your life.

I'm almost certain that if you looked back far enough you could find random attacks happening in every conceivable location/situation, if you lived your life avoiding these areas/situations you wouldn't have much of a life !

I can recall a few actually. Certainly more than 2 incidents.

Woman attacked in park whilst doing
early morning jog (happened within the last year).

The woman that Colin Stagg was originally accused of killing (admittedly a good few years back).

The one you mention Throckenholt.

A very similar one to this recent incident involving a young mum pushing a pram where she was attacked fatally but baby left unscathed (she had taken a short cut through a quiet alley). Happened within the last 12 months.

A woman walking her dog in a quiet country location (within last 18 months)

An overseas student killed whilst walking solo in either the Lake District or Peak District (can't remember which - that was about 2 or 3 years ago). She had her sketch pad with her and was hoping for a quiet day painting the scenery!

A schoolgirl killed (within last year) whilst taking a short cut home through playing fields

Yes these incidents are rare - but they are not unheard of, and I personally don't see the point of risking it.

Also I don't buy that it is life limiting to avoid walking alone or with your children in quiet locations. Nothing to stop you teaming up with friends to go to those places or going with your partner.

To add to HMC's point, she's only mentioned the incidents we get to hear about. There are loads of not lifethreatening, but nevertheless either violent, unpleasant or just frightening incidents that can happen in these locations. Every single rape, attempted rape, or common assault, is simply not newsworthy enough to be reported. And while I don't necessarily think there's an enormous great chance of being being the victim of low-level, unremarkable stuff like this, let alone murder, I still don't want to risk having to encounter it. And while I don't think we should have to restrict our lives, I don't have such an overwhelming urge to go for a walk in a lonely park that I feel deprived if I don't.

mmm. The problem is that parks become 'lonely' because people stop using them so its a bit self fulfilling really.
I suspect I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum in that I do a lot of things that I know other people avoid, but to me they don't seem particularly risky. There isn't anywhere locally I avoid during daylight - sometimes there are people around and sometimes there aren't (though nowhere is particularly isolated) - if I only ever went where I could guarantee other people then I really would be very restricted.

In fact the most unpleasant thing that has happened to me was being shouted at by two WOMEN when I dared to suggest that they remove their (unleashed) dog from the children's playground.

hey hey - I'm not alone! Caligua agrees with me!

elliott - I don't really include parks as lonely places (except early in the morning or late in the afternoon /evening). I find that I'm never alone in the park if I go between 10.00 am or 3pm...

Btw, when out running a few years back (down a country road with sparse intermittent housing) a car slowed right down and tailed me for a few seconds until thankfully another car emerged from a junction a few yards up the road. I never did that run alone after that - life limiting? - perhaps, sensible precaution? - definitely.

My partner is at work during the week, and I particularly enjoy those walks because it is just me and my daughters, I don't necessarily want to meet up with friends.

I mean, the paths I'm talking about are paths that have been planned to run through areas of new-built housing... so they are not that isolated.

What about my children's need for fresh air and exercise? What is the world coming to - first we don't let children out on their own anymore, and now even me going with them is not possible anymore???

I walk almost every day with dd2 round the footpaths and country lanes here. Quite often I'll never see another person.

I felt quite scared doing it today even though I know the likelihood is so minimal.

emkana,

if they are not that isolated what's your point? Was saying it might be prudent to avoid isolated places.

but I have no choice, unless I want to drive to dd1's school which I flatly refuse to do as it is two fields away.

Sorry, hmc, the whole point of this thread is that I'm confused. Surely the poor woman who was stabbed last week was in an area and on paths that were perceived to be safe? But still this horrific attack happened.

My point is really that I want reassurance that it's okay to still go for walks, that's it. Sorry if you feel that I have wasted your time - was not my intention.

Enid - you'll be okay you are 'hard core', a potential aggressor just wouldn't dare

Not saying you shouldn't Enid, just giving a robust defence of my position (avoiding isolated places) after it has been - albeit quite politely - dismissed by a few posters....(reading between the lines I'm a paranoid, worry wort who should live a bit and stop obsessing about what might never happen (grin) )

Emkana,

Didn't feel that way at all. Just having a discussion...Equally hope I haven't offended you?

no I don't think I would choose to go on an isolated walk, def

Not at all

Also, I think the area was perceived to be safe because it was quiet, rural etc ... but that also makes it lonely and isolated.

I think your quiet lanes surrounded by houses is an entirely different scenario.

Going to stop now as I am repeating myself and boring the pants of people!

and scaring me

I'm quite shocked at this thread - surely we should be saying let's walk more not less? Grab a friend and go, please don't give up, wherever you live .

Moondog, what a ba~~~~d for doing that, or just a weirdo and you did well to get away. I feel the same as you, I don't care when I'm by myself but when with children feel very vulnerable. I was approached yesterday when I was with very small baby by a man at M and S carpark, asking for money with tall tale about car breaking down. There is no way a genuine person would approach a female loading a tiny baby in to her car when there are loads of others to approach. He knew I was a soft touch and I'm afraid I gave him money

Reg your initial question...I used to live in one of the most dangerous cities of the world were murder was in everyday news. I don't think it's about stopping doing things, it's just about being more careful about what you do and pay more attention to what you see. Of course if you see a person acting slightly weird right in your path you don't pass by the side and say hello, you only start widening the distance slowly before getting pass by him/her. The principle is the same as other things we take for granted, such as door locks everybody have one just in case they may be needed, however, that doesn't mean that most persons who get near the door are there to get into unlawfully into the house.