You may wish to advise your child to take sensible precautions when walking to and from school.  Feel free to distribute safety tips as follows:

 

Plan ahead. Think about how you are going to get to school and home, e.g.  Travel with a friend. Make sure you know what time the bus is.

Avoid danger spots like quiet or badly-lit alleyways, subways or isolated car parks. Walk down the middle of the pavement if the street is deserted.

If you are at all worried, try and stay near a group of people.

Try to use well-lit, busy streets and use the route you know best.

Keep your mind on your surroundings – remember if you are chatting on your mobile phone or wearing a personal stereo, you will not hear trouble approaching.

If you think you are being followed, trust your instincts and take action.  As confidently as you can, cross the road, turning to see who is behind you.  If you are still being followed, keep moving.  Make for a busy area and tell people what is happening.

 

Stranger Danger

Whilst the risk posed by strangers is rare, it’s really important to make children aware of simple tips they can follow to keep themselves a little safer.

 

This video on “Stranger Danger” is designed to highlight a few key points, to be used to help you have that important conversation with your child, pupil or class. It is aimed at aged 4 - 11 years. For parents, carers, families, teachers, schools and centres for young people to use to raise awareness and generate discussion that helps children keep safe.

 

We would advise you to talk about who your safe adults are and where there are safe places near you if help is needed. 

There is a range of info and support here –