Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
How old do you have to be to walk down to the shops by yourself?
My son was stopped on Green Lanes by what he described as a Police Officer on Friday when he was walking down to meet a friend. He is a LOT cooler than me though so when they asked him where he was going he didn't tell them to go away nicely, he told them he was going to see his child minder. This was technically a lie, he was just going to meet an adult.
What if he'd said "go away nicely" or "I'm off to put a tanner on Everton and buy two cans of Tennents and some cigs for my dad" or more reasonably, "I'm going to see some friends"? He's nine and a half.
I do know that the law in this country basically treats the police as child catchers: if they catch them, they can take them away. If you're at home without an adult and draw attention to yourself to the extent that they are called to your house, they will make an assessment and perhaps take you into custody until they can find your "so called parents".
Are children trapped inside on their X-Boxes until they're adults or their parents move to the home counties? Was this just another example of over-policing? Do they stop the little scrotes intimidating teenagers young men who sail down the passage on BMX bikes looking at you like they're king of the world and ask them what they're doing?
Son of course said to me "don't say anything to anyone dad, it's cool, I handled it". Does this mean I'm wrong as we just play the game with authority rather than question it?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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I was being facetious.
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Permalink Reply by Sharon on
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Have you contacted the local police, john to find out why he was stopped and what their position is on stopping perfectly confident and able kids on the way to the shops? It might be that someone who looked like your son was missing perhaps. I doubt it though.
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No. I'm slightly worried about that. Given the action my solicitors are preparing to take against the police over my Harassment Notice the last thing I want is for a certain superintendent to be able to make a "judgement call" and take my son away because I have let him go down to the shops by himself. Paranoid? I don't think so.
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Permalink Reply by Philip on
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I really miss the sight of kids playing in the street as I did as a child. Our street has plenty of kids, which you see getting in and out of cars and thats about it. But then I live in a street where my neighbours on each side have changed at least three times in as many years......
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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Can I repeat some recommendations here for writing and research by Tim Gill and Mayer Hillman.
Tim Gill has a website called "Rethinking Childhood" which is full of interesting ideas including on this topic. He wrote a blog piece called: "Hurt, blame, stupidity: when being a free-range parent does not go to plan". It will strike a chord with many parents.
Mayer Hillman (who John McMullan has also mentioned) is one of the Policy Studies Institute researchers who originally suggested the - perhaps counter intuitive - idea that we've made streets "safer" for children by removing far too many children from the streets and cooping them up in cars or buildings under constant adult surveillance.
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I live on Tiverton Road where kids of all ages play out safely all day long. The mini parks on the estate are full of turkish kids with their parent eating lovely picnics in all weathers. We are a tight community, we all keep an eye on each others children. It's been a great place to bring up my kids who are very confident in their community and have a sense of belonging and safety.
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Something else I've been thinking is "why" did they stop him and ask him where he was going? I mean, they're not stopping the young Turkish kids as far as I know (correct me if I'm wrong) and I see them out and about a lot (good on them), especially in Fairland Park.
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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I hate to say this, but our young men to be have to prepare themselves for a lot of suspicion if they are out alone in London. In Camden where I worked, my male students 11-18 yrs complained daily that they were subject to being stopped and questioned (and searched on occasion) by the local constabulary. You don't have to give police any information about yourself however
The police can stop anyone in a public place and ask you to account for yourself. For example, you could be asked to account for your actions, behaviour, presence in an area or possession of anything. When the police stop you and ask you for an explanation, you don't need to provide your personal details.
Source: Citizen's Advice Advice Guide Police Powers
In answer to your question, I think year 5/6 Primary is about right for short journeys to the shops and to friends but it depends on the child. I worry more about them getting run over than anything else so they are ready when they have road sense.
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Permalink Reply by Straw Cat on
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Whatever you do, don't move to Worcester
Children threatened with legal action for playing outside their hom...
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He wasn't even playing. He was walking down the road minding his own business.
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