A Little Girl Almost 3 Years Old, Walks Home Alone From Nursery.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2412605/Two-year-old-girl-WALKED-private-nursery-way-home-workman-left-door-open.html

It was simply amazing how this little 3 year old managed to find her way home, but it is reported in the news story that,

/// No one noticed she had gone and no passer-by intervened even though her route took her past a busy pub. ///

/// Mr Hilton said he was also appalled that no passer-by had intervened but added that Louise has not been told off. ///

The question that has to be asked is, "would any of you have intervened, in today's cases of child abductions etc?

[nannybooby]

You bet your sweet ass I would ,she is far too young to be out on her own , the story made me feel quite ill . Someone should have stopped her and called 999

[naomi24]

Yes, I would - and I have. I do think, however, a man might be more reluctant - and in today's climate, that's understandable.

[woofgang]

I don't know....if the road had loads of other pedestrians with kids and the child was walking purposefully, it would be easy to assume that she was with an adult because you wouldn't expect her to be alone.

[jake-the-peg]

Not sure - I don't think 'child abductions' would have deterred me.

If you see a 3 year old like that walking purposefully you'd be tempted to assume the parents were just around

Rather different if you come across one looking lost and upset.

I can quite see why nobody stopped her if she seemed to know what she was about

[woofgang]

...but yes....if I had thought she was on her own or lost, I would have intervened and yes, I have done so too when kids have wandered off in the local supermarket and are heading for the door.

[Sqad]

AOG....40 years ago...YES I would have intervened, but today........I would hesitate.

2 years ago Mrs sqad was at Heathrow, after disembarking on a flight from Barcelona. A little girl about 3-4 years of age was amongst the crowd, crying and calling for her mother. Mrs sqad picked her up and for 5 mins or so made inquiries at to any information concerning the child's parents.
Suddenly a woman came pushing forward, screaming at mrs sqad and accusing her of taking the child, much to the embarrassment of my wife. Airport officials were called and mrs sqad was treated as a child abductor, but was finally released.

AOG...different times, different decisions.

[pugthedog]

what were the staff doing chatting or on mobile's

[Octavius]

I agree with jake the peg, but might have asked a woman nearby to intervene with me if it was obvious she was alone.

[Gromit]

I would hope everyone would help if they saw a toddler walking alone, I certainly would. The risk of mistakenly being thought of as an abductor far outweighs the risk to the child if she was left to do the walk alone.

Looking at the Daily Mail's map, the roads don't look very busy and the pub may not have been busy at that time of day. I reckon this little girl just evaded everyone rather than the public ignoring her plight.

[mikey4444]

I wouldn't hesitate either, and I'm a 60 year old single man. It only takes a couple of minutes to dial 999.

But I sympathise with Mrs Sqad. If that happened to me, I would have stood "guard" so to speak and called an official over asap. Failing that, perhaps getting some other people on your side, perhaps in one of the bloody shops that infest our Airports these days.

Difficult one perhaps but maybe James Bulger would still be alive today if someone had acted. We have far too much "turn the other cheek" these days for my liking.

[sp1814]

I'm with mikey4444 on this. Many years ago, I would've had to wait for a woman to be available, before approaching what I thought was a lost child.

Now, however - like most people, I have a mobile phone on me. I would immediately call 999, which would cover me from any dodgy accusations.

You know what? This is all the fault of the media, and specifically newspapers. They have spent 20 years scaring the bejesus out of us that there are pedophiles around every corner, and this is the effect....

[mikey4444]

Well said SP1814 ! Lets stand up and be counted.

[belrec]

If it seemed like she was alone then I would definitley ask her if she was OK and where her mum was. I have done it before plenty of times and always a good conclusion and would hope that someone helps my kids in the same way.

I agree with gromit rather be accused of attmepting to kidnap the child than have any harm come to her. That said it is different for men and women tho, dont think OH would go up to a child by himself.

The more i hear about nurseries the more i dislike them, have had a few nasty experinces with my two and would never recommend one.

[Sqad]

sp.

\\\\\\ Many years ago, I would've had to wait for a woman to be available, before approaching what I thought was a lost child. \\\\

How many years ago? That was the point i was making in my post........40-50 years ago, i would not hesitate to come to the rescue of a little girl no thought of accusations of child abduction.......but today....?

[mikey4444]

Car parks for babies, that's all they are.

[pugthedog]

need help
with five clues
12 a 6 not sporting
15 a 6 5 jubilee festive event
26 a 7 archaic
3d 8 savoury dish made from rice and fish
4d 6 edible seed used for flavouring

[mikey4444]

I'll put my cards on the table over this. I am just about to do the weekly shop...Tesco, Post Office, Library, etc. If I see something like this, I shall definitely intervene !

I shall report back later with any news ( as long as I'm not in custody of course )

[Peter Pedant]

Easy.

You get help and then give help.

so basically you are the other helper are chaperoned. Since they are a stranger or even an airport worker - streets full of them predeitation is a non starter.

anything else is an excuse not to help

see lady with pram at the Trooper Rigby videos
she should be heroine of 'I walked on by' videos

[mikey4444]

Pug...I would gladly help but you are in the wrong sub-section dear.

( but I think that 8d could be KEDGEREE )

[Peter Pedant]

O Mikey you good hearted person

My brother was arrested whilst jogging in Richmond Park for suspected rape (it turned out that he suspicion was - he was jogging and the rapist was.....) and since the Parks Trooper saw this as his opportunity to get into the Normal Police - assisted with every hellp besides confession.