British ministers urged to issue guidance on unattended children.

[misty]

The minimum age for criminal responsibility is 10, isn't it? How can a 10 year old not therefore be classed as old enough to be left at home alone?

[Mr Gray]

Make it a crime to leave children under 12 home alone, say parents

The article confirms there is no minimum age re the law

[John]

For far too long this issue has been avoided by successive governments.  There has to be a level playing field throughout the UK where the actions of parents who endanger their children are properly addressed and appropriate sanctions and/or punishment handed out.

[Eleanor]

This woman left a child of eleven alone for 45 minutes.  To suggest that this is neglect is ridiculous, in my opinion.
If she hadn't accepted The Caution then I very much doubt she would have been prosecuted.

[ferryman]

If the McCanns were guilty of breaking the law because of their childcare arrangements  -  then so are the hoteliers and tour operators who offer an identical Listening Service - which specifically involves  leaving sleeping children unsupervised for periods of time.

And so is every other parent who has signed up for this service when on holiday.

And so are the parents who rely on Baby Alarms as baby sitters. IMO

This constant pretence that it is ONLY the McCanns who ever adopted this type of child checking is pathetic IMO.

And anyone who thinks no other parents ever -  in the history of the Listening Service - left doors or windows unlocked - either by accident or design is being extremely unrealistic IMO.

The PT AG stated that because of the regular checks, the requirement of 'abandonment' necessary to prove neglect was not fulfilled.    Full stop.

I don't think that's the pretence, though.

I think the pretence is that the McCanns, uniquely among other parents who have done the same (or similar) as them, have somehow broken the law.

[Anna]

"Children under 16 should not be left alone overnight" but they are responsible enough to get married on their 16th Birthday?  &%+((£

I think it depends on the child. Many are trustworthy and sensible at a much younger age than 12 and safe to leave at home for short spells.

[ferryman]

"Children under 16 should not be left alone overnight" but they are responsible enough to get married on their 16th Birthday?  &%+((£

I think it depends on the child. Many are trustworthy and sensible at a much younger age than 12 and safe to leave at home for short spells.

Agreed that that is the problem with a prescriptive law that leaves parents no leeway to adjudge the maturity of their own child ...

[Anna]

I don't think that's the pretence, though.

I think the pretence is that the McCanns, uniquely among other parents who have done the same (or similar) as them, have somehow broken the law.

Why is the subject of the McCanns leaving the children 7 years ago, coming up over and over again.
 What can be achieved from this?
 It's water under the bridge and it's finding what happened to Maddie that is of utmost importance now.

[ferryman]

Why is the subject of the McCanns leaving the children 7 years ago, coming up over and over again.
 What can be achieved from this?
 It's water under the bridge and it's finding what happened to Maddie that is of utmost importance now.

I agree.

But it won't stop.

[slartibartfast]

I agree.

But it won't stop.

If it stops one family going through the same scenario, surely it is worth it?

[ferryman]

If it stops one family going through the same scenario, surely it is worth it?

I doubt all the McCanns are going through will make a jot of difference to parenting decisions of parents with their children in the future ...

[Alfred R Jones]

If it stops one family going through the same scenario, surely it is worth it?

Surely all what will be worth it?  7 years of harping on about the McCanns' neglect?  Don't you think the fact of Madeleine's kidnapping is enough to put people off leaving their kids unattended, far more so than the bitching that goes on about the McCanns' parenting decisions?

[Carana]

Hang on. In the UK, children aged 10 are deemed criminally responsible, but shouldn't be left alone until 12? How does that work?

[ferryman]

Hang on. In the UK, children aged 10 are deemed criminally responsible, but shouldn't be left alone until 12? How does that work?

Very good question.

I suppose, left unattended, they might commit a crime ...

[Alfred R Jones]

Very good question.

I suppose, left unattended, they might commit a crime ...

And if they did, they would be held responsible for it!  But if the law changed to make it illegal to leave kids alone perhaps the parents would be charged with their kids' crimes instead.  Now, there's a thought...