Ten year old playing out after dark

[SparksSparks]

My DS (just turned 10) plays out sometimes at weekends - he just goes to the basketball court a couple of streets away with local friends, and has a set time he has to be home (he's usually out for an hour or so). But I'm not happy about him playing out after dark in the week - his friends sometimes call for him at eg 4.30 to go to the court, and he thinks I'm horribly mean not to let him. But I just don't feel comfortable about him being out in the dark. Am I being unreasonable/overprotective? One of his friends has massive free reign to do what he wants and the other is usually allowed out till 5.30pm. But I just think they are quite young for that! Any thoughts v welcome ...

I don’t think that overprotective. It’s not like he’s in the garden. I sometimes see children that age monkeying around in the street (eg running into the road after a ball) and think it’s a miracle they haven’t been run over especially if they’re wearing dark clothes after dark.

I wouldn't allow that either. My ds is 9 and he has to be with at least one friend, and he has to be inside by dark.
Could you put up a basket ball loop in the garden?

Thanks all .... Kingsclerelass we do have a basketball hoop in our garden! But it's just more fun to be out/more space ... Good to know I'm not the only one who fees like this though - I'll be happy when it's spring and it's much easier for them to be out and about.

Sounds totally reasonable to me.