Letter: Safely to school

Sir: I write in the light of recent events to call on all parents and teachers to consider carefully how they are introducing the children in their care to the concept and skills of personal safety.

Our work as the national charity for personal safety has taught us that if young people are taught how to instinctively avoid dangerous situations, they are much more likely to avoid being victims.

As far as travelling to school is concerned we recommend that parents contact other parents and the school to discuss strategies for ensuring that children have arrived at school and that their journey to school is safe. It is hard to let children do things on their own, but if they are not allowed out alone they will never learn to be safe.

Parents should help children plan routes to school, taking note of phone booths and public places to go for help. They should talk through strategies for recognising and coping with potential danger and provide children with a charge card for making a telephone call.

This is another of those conversations that parents should not avoid having with their children.

DIANA LAMPLUGH

Director

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust

London SW14