A year or three ago we had new neighbours move in opposite us . They kept coming over and asking my (then) 5 yr old lad to go with them for a walk in the woods with his puppy . This caused concerns . I rang the police , and within 20 mins we had two family liaison officers at our door . They could not tell us if there was anything to be concerned about , but they did say that they WOULD NOT say there was NOT a problem .
I had a word with the neighbours , and we have seen and heard very little from them until recent weeks . They have now started approaching my 5 yr old daughter and have been asking her if she wants to have a sleep-over at their house .
My gut feeling is that I should just burn them in their sleep . My sensible side tells me that I should use Sarah's Law and request information from the local police station . BUT .. I have been informed that Sarah's Law is a myth as it has not been passed by parliament .
Any advice as to what action I can (legally) take would be very much appreciated .

Am actually hoping Minty will reply to this post . She seems to have done her research , and be rather well informed and level-headed regarding most subjects .

No 'BURN THE PAEDOS' responses please .

This Home Office page www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-cent ... arah's-law suggests that Sarah's Law was rolled out nationally last year, but not sure if it only applies to those "who have contact with children", whether that means just teachers, sports coaches etc or if it means anyone I don't know. Either way id have thought your best bet would be to talk to someone at your local police station, ask them if Sarah's law applies in this case, and even if it doesn't you can tell them of your concerns. It can be easy to fall into the tabloid trap into thinking everyone who doesn't do the "normal" thing is a danger in some way, but it does sound a bit odd, and if I were you I'd obviously keep my kids away from them

This Home Office page www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-cent ... arah's-law suggests that Sarah's Law was rolled out nationally last year, but not sure if it only applies to those "who have contact with children", whether that means just teachers, sports coaches etc or if it means anyone I don't know. Either way id have thought your best bet would be to talk to someone at your local police station, ask them if Sarah's law applies in this case, and even if it doesn't you can tell them of your concerns. It can be easy to fall into the tabloid trap into thinking everyone who doesn't do the "normal" thing is a danger in some way, but it does sound a bit odd, and if I were you I'd obviously keep my kids away from them

I've got 2 kids, 6 & 9, and it really is a shame that your first instinct isn't "what a lovely couple" but "there's something odd about these". I'd be thinking the same though. Is that because of the media hyping up the amount of paedophiles on the streets?

As a kid I played out probably from the age of 6. I also walked to school with my friends from a similar age. I've only allowed my 9 year old to start playing out in the past 12 months and I still drive him to school, about a mile away. Surely there's the same amount of "weirdos" on the street as there was 35 years ago? Is it just that we're now more aware of them?

The tabloid media in particular is massively guilty of whipping up hysteria.

There is far, far more danger of a child being abused in their own home by a relative or family friend than elsewhere.

If you have serious concerns, then you can go and speak to the police.

[url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11427787Sarah's Law explained.[/url

How about talking to the people in question, telling them you find their approaches and behaviour towards your daughter inappropriate and ask them to stop, if after a few weeks they haven't adhered to your wishes then speak to the Police and make a formal complaint?, also document each conversation you have with them and they have with your child (or other family members).

Does you need an excuse to politely say no to an invitation from someone that you do not really know for your 5 year old to spend the night at their house?

Is a 'McCann's trying to steal a replacement' joke inappropriate'?

I'd go with the burning the approach, just in case.

Despite the tree huggers questioning your paranoia and cynicism, it is not normal to ask a 5 year to go for a walk in the woods without first establishing an almost-family relationship with the family first. Nor is it okay to ask a 5 year old to have a sleepover.

... would seem a good place to start.

Although I couldn't argue with anyone who finds this couple's behaviour inappropriate at best and disturbing at worst.

I think you need to form your own judgement on the people. The behaviour sounds odd as you've described it, but if your neighbours were a nice, retired couple and your kids have shown interest in their puppy they may just be being friendly. It goes without saying, if in doubt play safe. Sounds like you do have doubts, so you should make written enquiries (so it can't be white-washed as easily if the people are "known"icon_wink.gif of whoever the competent authority is.

You need to re-read what the OP wrote.

The puppy was his sons and isn't part of the current issue.

Correct. But this is extremely strange behaviour, and although it's rare it does happen.
I have two kids and I don't know anyone who has had sleepovers even with their friends families at 5, let alone two fairly random adults. I personally don't think kids that young should have sleepovers, just me. And you are right, even if you "know" someone you don't really know them that well to trust your 5 year old with them overnight.

I would be very concerned about these people.

Point taken. I read the post a while befire I posted.

It remains though that it is possible that the people have good intentions - they may, for eaxmple, worry about the kids domestic situation? (That is not any form of accusation againsat the OP (who I do not know, just like I do not know the other people), but it is at least possible).

At the end of the day, if the OP has concerns he should err on the side of caution - keep a close eye on his children and make enquiries through the proper channels as a matter of urgency - putting his concerns in writing to them, with copy to local MP if his concers are serious. That way they are much more likely to act.

On the basis of just what is written in the OP, I'd agree completely.

But the hysteria is a reality – and [url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/901723.stmwe know where it leads[/url.

And there is a facility there if someone feels they need to explore further, beyond simply saying 'no'.

I think Standee has a point too.

I'd speak to the police again in your shoes. The other person that might be able to help/point you in the right direction is if you can find out who your local Child Protection/Safeguarding officer is at the local council.

I can't stand hysteria or vigilante type action (as I've said before on here it cost us our home when my sister died), however no adults should be approaching a 5 year old child about staying overnight without prior discussion/permission from the child's parents. That is odd, and concerning, behaviour imo.

Nobody is getting hysterical.

If the police are aware that there is a problem they will be monitoring the situation as will other agencies, especially now concerns have been raised.
Personally I think the best thing you could do is to have a word with these neighbours and tell them you are not comfortable with them asking your 5 yr old to stay over or go for walks etc.

I did not say they were getting hysterical here.

There is, however, a culture of hysteria about the issue. The link illustrated what happens as a result. There were riots around it. If that's not a result of mass hysteria, it's difficult to know what is.

My five year old son has had friends sleep over and he's slept over at other friends' houses. Unless we assume that everyone is a paedophile until they prove otherwise, I don't see the problem.

The reasons I have for thinking sleepovers for very young children are not something I would do are nothing to do with paedophiles.

Dont bother informing the police, you'll only end with social services sniffing around you.

Have a quiet word with the bloke not to go anywhere near your child ever again, or you won't be responsible for your actions.

Oh. What are they then?

What did you mean by this, if it wasn't a reference to potential paedophilia?

I don't give advice to people how to bring up their kids, and I don't listen to anyone else either. I'm not telling you what to do with your kids - let's get that straight first.

It is a reference to a number of things, I wouldn't trust my mother in law for a number of reasons, my wife's sister dropped our daughter on her head when she was 12 months old and didn't give a $h!t - would Ilet her look after our kids - not a chance. I've seen people "do" things with their kids that I wouldn't allow mine to do many people think it's perfectly okay for a 5 year old to roam the streets, if they happen to be looking after mine then what if they then think it's okay for my 5 year old to roam the streets with theirs? What if they think it'sokay to smoke dope infornt of kids? A good friend of mine has a boy the same age as my son, I won't let him go to his house because his Dad (who is actually an okay bloke I've known for years) seems to think it's okay for his son to have an Xbox live account and play online 18 games (he's 9) with various unknown adults. He also has guns that they get out in the garden. Not for me thanks.

As for very young children, they completely rely on the adults they are with, I am responsible for my kids in ways that nobody else is and nobody else ever will be.

That answer your question?