This book has been written for adults. I assume that many of you will either have your own children, or have some input into the guidance and development of a niece, nephew, godchild or other young relative. I have included this chapter to discuss some of the threats facing young people, and to propose a few countermeasures that you or the child can take to avoid the relevant risks and threats. I have assumed that children will not read this book. I assume that you as an adult will learn from this chapter and teach them what you think they need to know in a way and at a pace that is suitable to you both.

I use a very simple definition of child – and that is anyone who is not an adult. As an adult, you can be as security conscious and careful as you like, but children can ruin your security by losing keys or going out to play and leaving doors and widows open. When they are small they have no sense of fear, so they can wander off, talk to strangers or otherwise cause you distress. As they get older you have to start letting them explore the world and build their own character. Older still and they may want to experiment with glue sniffing, tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs. All of these activities have an impact on your life and security, peace of mind and happiness.

You can lock your valuable watch in a safe to keep it secure, you can immobilise your car to stop thieves driving it away, but children present a unique problem. You have to help a child to grow into an independent person, which means that they have to be allowed increasing freedom to find their own path in life. You can still guide and advise them, but there comes a time when you have to allow them to go out into the world to take their own chances and hope that the life skills you have given them will keep them safe. Child care experts have written many books and papers but this book simplifies and summarises some key points for you, offering common sense precautions that you can take to protect you and your children from harm.

Not My Child!

Most parents will be thinking that their children would never be allowed to come to harm or cause any harm. We all think that, but you only have to read a few newspapers to see that it is happening all the time all over the country to somebody’s children. Therefore there has to be a risk that it could happen to your children. The more you know about the vulnerabilities, threats and risks the more you can do to make sure that it isn’t your children.

Do you really know what is happening among the children in your street? Could it be that the little angels are not as pure and innocent as your think? As an eye opener, read the following points.

• When asked, nearly 75% of parents stated that drugs were not available in their area. They were ‘wrong; drugs are quite readily available everywhere in the UK if you know where to ask – and kids usually know where to ask!
• In one survey, nearly 30% of all children asked stated that they had on occasion carried a knife as a weapon.
• In the same survey, nearly 60% of children who had been excluded from school admitted that they frequently carried a knife as a weapon.
• Among children who had been mugged (been a victim of a street robbery) about 45% admitted that they now regularly carried a knife as a weapon to defend themselves.
• In England and Wales, 176,000 young people between the ages of 10 and 17 were found guilty of, or cautioned for, serious crimes including burglary, assault, robbery and fraud.
• By the age of 19, nearly 40% of UK children admit that they have tried illegal drugs.
• By the age of 15, nearly 50% of children say they drink alcohol regularly.
• In 85% of cases of child sexual abuse the attacker is known to the child and the family.
• In 2002, statistics show that 142,900 juveniles were cautioned by police for crimes ranging from theft (54,000), drug offences (45,000), to violent assault (23,000).
• Statistics seem to show that at least 20% of children who come to police attention go on to commit more crimes.
• In traffic accidents 12% of casualties are aged 15 or under. 12% of casualties are pedestrians. 4% of casualties are cyclists.
• More pedestrians are injured in road accidents between 3.30 and 6 pm than at any other time of the day.
• Nearly 26,000 children are on child protection registers. They are registered under different categories. For example, 34% are held under the neglect category, 17% physical injury, 7% sexual abuse and 13% emotional abuse.
• Half of all crime committed in the UK is committed by people who are under 21 years of age.

Don’t get too tied up in the statistics. I included them only to show you that in every sense, crime by and against children is a bigger problem than most people realise. One final thought – no matter how grown up you think your child is – a child is by definition immature and irresponsible. As an adult, you have a duty and responsibility to protect your child and raise them to be responsible citizens.