Letter: Parents are right to protect their children

FRANK FUREDI states that children are safer than ever before ("Children are at risk - from their terrified parents", 7 February). The casualty figures may show this - but these rates may have been achieved precisely because parents escort their children or don't allow them out.

Parents have responded to increases in traffic, perceived that the roads are too dangerous for children to negotiate safely and taken appropriate action. They are aware that although few children are murdered or abducted, it does happen.

We have one of the worst records for child pedestrian accidents in Western Europe and many "incidents" of child abuse in the community never make the headlines. Parents are rightly concerned. Society should take responsibility for the environment we have created and for creating child-friendly communities that parents would be happy for their children to be out in.

DR RACHAEL DIXEY

Leeds