My niece is 12, and she is like a daughter to me. She is going to be taking the tube. She has her phone which I can track, and she knows not to take it out as it can get snatched. What advice can you give me so I can warn her of the dangers of a young girl taking public transport. Knives, weapons and kidnapping are on my mind, although rare but at the same time I want her to be independent.
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Child safety, first time taking train to School.
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Pretty much the same advice you'd give to her walking or getting the bus to school, or the shops, or the park. The tube isn't inherently a worse environment than anywhere else in society. It can and does get busy, so teach her about being alert, things like as you say be careful with her phone and possessions, and perhaps put the British Transport Police number in her contacts so she can send a text if she is concerned about something happening. And make sure she understands her route, so perhaps take a few journeys with her so she can learn the best ways in and out of the stations, where to sit on the tube to get out of the station as quickly as possible.
One thing I would advise against is making this sound more dangerous than it really is. Yes many news channels and social media will tell you that the whole of London is like a warzone, with gangs of armed men at every station, terrorising passengers on a daily basis. But it really isn't, generally it's full of people going from A to B, and maybe being a little grumpy especially in hot weather. There's really no point in causing her any more anxiety than she might already be feeling doing something new.
One thing I would advise against is making this sound more dangerous than it really is. Yes many news channels and social media will tell you that the whole of London is like a warzone, with gangs of armed men at every station, terrorising passengers on a daily basis. But it really isn't, generally it's full of people going from A to B, and maybe being a little grumpy especially in hot weather. There's really no point in causing her any more anxiety than she might already be feeling doing something new.
Ze Random One
Member
- Joined
- 30 Apr 2011
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- 244
As a male, I can't fully appreciate the experience of women and girls out in the world. However, as a frequent public transport user across the UK (trains, trams, tubes, buses), I can say this.
The odds of your niece being involved in any sort of altercation are vanishingly small. Stories of violence on the tube are significantly exaggerated by both traditional and social media, pushed for a combination of clicks/online ad revenue, and by political actors who wish to make our cities seem much more violent and risky than they actually are. These are shared by well-meaning friends and contacts, building a feeling amongst people that this are common events. They are not. The worst I generally experience ever is a group of drunk people arguing with each other. But those people aren't interested in bystanders, only arguing with their acquaintances.
If she is involved in any violence, she would almost certainly already know some of the perpetrators.Knives are only really ever used against rival groups, not really against bystanders or the general public.
Therefore, the standard advice applies, keep aware of your surroundings, don't flash your phone in crowded areas where pickpockets operate.
Most likely some of her schoolmates will end up travelling together, in which case they can look out for each other.
The odds of your niece being involved in any sort of altercation are vanishingly small. Stories of violence on the tube are significantly exaggerated by both traditional and social media, pushed for a combination of clicks/online ad revenue, and by political actors who wish to make our cities seem much more violent and risky than they actually are. These are shared by well-meaning friends and contacts, building a feeling amongst people that this are common events. They are not. The worst I generally experience ever is a group of drunk people arguing with each other. But those people aren't interested in bystanders, only arguing with their acquaintances.
If she is involved in any violence, she would almost certainly already know some of the perpetrators.Knives are only really ever used against rival groups, not really against bystanders or the general public.
Therefore, the standard advice applies, keep aware of your surroundings, don't flash your phone in crowded areas where pickpockets operate.
Most likely some of her schoolmates will end up travelling together, in which case they can look out for each other.
SECR 65
Member
Walk down to one end of the platform where possible, as the front and back of the train tends to be less busy - this was astonishing to me a few weeks ago (although it was a weekend). Make sure to stay back from the platform edge and don't let yourself be pushed onto the line. Don't run for trains or cram on uneccecarily, as there is usually a train right behind, which is often much quieter if there has been a gap in the service.
(Edit - typo of neccecarily / unnececarily)
(Edit - typo of neccecarily / unnececarily)
The problem with safety advice is what level to pitch it at. You don’t want to terrify a child but you can also plan for so many eventualities that you may never experience.
I’m going to give my personal tips for most eventualities. Day to day most people will never have to think of some of them. Rather like how many people partake in fire drills but never see a real fire.
With knives and weapons. They’re usually only brandished once someone has an altercation. So a 12 year old girl, unless she is unusually bolshy should be fine. To anyone, I’d always advise not winding strangers up (or even seeking interaction with them). You never know who you’re dealing with.
A child also wouldn’t usually be seen as a high value target, unlike for example a laptop, wallet carrying businessman would be. So making sure her bag is closed and high value items are not obvious and placed out of reach is basic. If the bag is a rucksack use both straps.
For females stealable items could include jewellery etc but again, I’d expect a 12 year old wouldn’t be high on most robber’s list of targets and usually wouldn’t be wearing obviously expensive items day to day.
She is possibly more likely at risk from her own peers. Bullies or local school gangs. So perhaps ensuring her route doesn’t cut through a rival school turf or whatever.
It’s always a good idea to be accompanied by a friend if possible.
When I’m on the tube, even as an adult but especially with a child. When we get off the train we usually head to the wall of the station behind some hard cover, or a seat and let the main crowd dissipate. Just in case someone rushing barges the child towards the platform gap. You’d be relying on the driver seeing the child fall or someone else seeing it and doing enough to prevent the driver leaving. Likewise don’t approach the edge until the train is stopped.
In the highly unlikely case of a stampede or something hard cover could save you.
When walking, stick to well lit areas and always step out from doorways etc to ensure no one lurking can surprise you.
Route planning is a good idea. Pick a route that passes along areas that are staffed, or have shops etc along them. Generally the larger a shop the better. If she is followed, a high street store or supermarket with a security guard and numerous staff would be a good place to go and raise concerns rather than a tiny shop where the owner could be friendly with the person following them. That said, the tiny shop may be better than nothing.
And knowing all possible exits and routes is useful too. In the extremely unlikely event of a terror attack it has been known that people can be funnelled towards another attacker. So knowing a little used exit or hiding place could be a lifesaver.
There is also advice about having electronic items set to silent. So in the event you do have to hide they won’t vibrate or make a noise.
When waiting. If your train is from a far off platform then waiting nearer the gateline or whatever till just before departure is a good idea.
Or wait under CCTV.
Finally, just being aware of minor things relating to general safety. Like making sure her bag straps don’t get caught in the doors. A lot of small safety rules get ignored and because they only affect 1 in thousands most people don’t consider them. How many people were taught not to cross roads behind parked cars but do so regularly.
Instinct is useful too. If she feels something is off, remove herself from the situation immediately, if possible without making things too obvious and provoking a reaction (just pretending she’s on the wrong platform or something for example)
And if she feels someone is creepy maybe she can find a coach where she can be around women rather than men.
And again, always knowing where she can get help at any stage of the journey is important.
I once read an article by the wife of a famous pilot. He flew her cross country in a small plane. She mentioned that afterwards he told her that every second of that flight he had in mind somewhere he could see that would be his landing site if the engine suddenly failed.
When I go to a hotel I immediately check the fire exits as so many hotel fires have happened over the years. Likewise on trains, knowing where fire extinguishers and passenger alarms are takes seconds but could be useful.
It could also be a good idea to have numbers stored in her phone such as the 61016 text number and things such as her school office etc.
Tbh, safety advice can go so far as to delve into psychology. For example people often like to leave by the entrance they came in at. Which is fine until a fire or something unpalatable stands between you and that. This is when knowing your surroundings counts.
I hope there is something useful in what I’ve wrote. But it’s probably not necessary to scare her with all of it!
All in all though most risks to her are likely to be small and she’ll likely have no issue travelling.
I’m going to give my personal tips for most eventualities. Day to day most people will never have to think of some of them. Rather like how many people partake in fire drills but never see a real fire.
With knives and weapons. They’re usually only brandished once someone has an altercation. So a 12 year old girl, unless she is unusually bolshy should be fine. To anyone, I’d always advise not winding strangers up (or even seeking interaction with them). You never know who you’re dealing with.
A child also wouldn’t usually be seen as a high value target, unlike for example a laptop, wallet carrying businessman would be. So making sure her bag is closed and high value items are not obvious and placed out of reach is basic. If the bag is a rucksack use both straps.
For females stealable items could include jewellery etc but again, I’d expect a 12 year old wouldn’t be high on most robber’s list of targets and usually wouldn’t be wearing obviously expensive items day to day.
She is possibly more likely at risk from her own peers. Bullies or local school gangs. So perhaps ensuring her route doesn’t cut through a rival school turf or whatever.
It’s always a good idea to be accompanied by a friend if possible.
When I’m on the tube, even as an adult but especially with a child. When we get off the train we usually head to the wall of the station behind some hard cover, or a seat and let the main crowd dissipate. Just in case someone rushing barges the child towards the platform gap. You’d be relying on the driver seeing the child fall or someone else seeing it and doing enough to prevent the driver leaving. Likewise don’t approach the edge until the train is stopped.
In the highly unlikely case of a stampede or something hard cover could save you.
When walking, stick to well lit areas and always step out from doorways etc to ensure no one lurking can surprise you.
Route planning is a good idea. Pick a route that passes along areas that are staffed, or have shops etc along them. Generally the larger a shop the better. If she is followed, a high street store or supermarket with a security guard and numerous staff would be a good place to go and raise concerns rather than a tiny shop where the owner could be friendly with the person following them. That said, the tiny shop may be better than nothing.
And knowing all possible exits and routes is useful too. In the extremely unlikely event of a terror attack it has been known that people can be funnelled towards another attacker. So knowing a little used exit or hiding place could be a lifesaver.
There is also advice about having electronic items set to silent. So in the event you do have to hide they won’t vibrate or make a noise.
When waiting. If your train is from a far off platform then waiting nearer the gateline or whatever till just before departure is a good idea.
Or wait under CCTV.
Finally, just being aware of minor things relating to general safety. Like making sure her bag straps don’t get caught in the doors. A lot of small safety rules get ignored and because they only affect 1 in thousands most people don’t consider them. How many people were taught not to cross roads behind parked cars but do so regularly.
Instinct is useful too. If she feels something is off, remove herself from the situation immediately, if possible without making things too obvious and provoking a reaction (just pretending she’s on the wrong platform or something for example)
And if she feels someone is creepy maybe she can find a coach where she can be around women rather than men.
And again, always knowing where she can get help at any stage of the journey is important.
I once read an article by the wife of a famous pilot. He flew her cross country in a small plane. She mentioned that afterwards he told her that every second of that flight he had in mind somewhere he could see that would be his landing site if the engine suddenly failed.
When I go to a hotel I immediately check the fire exits as so many hotel fires have happened over the years. Likewise on trains, knowing where fire extinguishers and passenger alarms are takes seconds but could be useful.
It could also be a good idea to have numbers stored in her phone such as the 61016 text number and things such as her school office etc.
Tbh, safety advice can go so far as to delve into psychology. For example people often like to leave by the entrance they came in at. Which is fine until a fire or something unpalatable stands between you and that. This is when knowing your surroundings counts.
I hope there is something useful in what I’ve wrote. But it’s probably not necessary to scare her with all of it!
All in all though most risks to her are likely to be small and she’ll likely have no issue travelling.
None of those are likely to be a risk as much as losing her purse or phone or getting picked on by other school children.
Don't try to worry her about extremely rare events (when was the last time a 12 year old girl got stabbed on the Tube?), just tell her to exercise the usual amount of caution in public spaces. I'm not sure of your gender but this advice is always best coming from a female relative if one is available.
Sun Chariot
Established Member
Wise advice. As a London commuter and tube-user, 1994 to 2012, I fully agree with these points @ACDC
Last edited:
DelW
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- 15 Jan 2015
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- 5,935
My main suggestion would be for her to be aware of her surroundings at all times. I see lots of teens who are wholly absorbed in something (usually but not always a smartphone) to the exclusion of everything happening around them. Keep her eyes open, be aware of who is nearby and what they're doing, and move quietly away from any unwanted situation that looks like developing.
On platforms, I'd keep away from crowded areas but also from very quiet platform ends or coaches (not that there are many in central areas). Aim to stay in places with a few other people around.
On platforms, I'd keep away from crowded areas but also from very quiet platform ends or coaches (not that there are many in central areas). Aim to stay in places with a few other people around.
Snow1964
Established Member
It is useful to do a dummy run, and know where station exits, footbridges, escalators are. They will find regular users tend to congregate in carriage nearest where their exit from platform will be.
Its probably not a good idea to go to far end of the train and be last one off the platform, a few other people around, but not crowded is best
Based on experience, I would try to:
a) ensure that they always have access to funds e.g. a debit card type product
b) ensure a charged phone e.g. a portable charger
c) (This might be a big ask for Gen Z and beyond but if everything else fails) introduce them to the concept of a payphone and how to use it in emergencies
They are far more likely to become stranded due to " tube incidents" than kidnapping etc, which is total fantasyland.
a) ensure that they always have access to funds e.g. a debit card type product
b) ensure a charged phone e.g. a portable charger
c) (This might be a big ask for Gen Z and beyond but if everything else fails) introduce them to the concept of a payphone and how to use it in emergencies
They are far more likely to become stranded due to " tube incidents" than kidnapping etc, which is total fantasyland.
I would do one or two dummy runs and try “naturally” to cover “Plan B”s for minor hiccups - particularly if there are alternative routes - in a way that doesn’t make her over nervous, since the chances of Plan B ever being needed are low.