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Fear of killers 'ruins childhood' Fear of killers 'ruins childhood'
(about 5 hours later)
A climate of fear created by high profile child killers like Ian Huntley and Roy Whiting is robbing children of their childhood, research has claimed.A climate of fear created by high profile child killers like Ian Huntley and Roy Whiting is robbing children of their childhood, research has claimed.
The Bournemouth University study found that there were about 900 potential child killers at large in the UK, but less than 2% of them go on to kill.The Bournemouth University study found that there were about 900 potential child killers at large in the UK, but less than 2% of them go on to kill.
The researchers said children were more likely to die in a road crash than be killed by someone outside the family.The researchers said children were more likely to die in a road crash than be killed by someone outside the family.
But public misconception meant parents kept their children too close.But public misconception meant parents kept their children too close.
High profile child murders lead parents to fear for their children's safety but perception of risk is often at variance with reality Professor Colin PritchardHigh profile child murders lead parents to fear for their children's safety but perception of risk is often at variance with reality Professor Colin Pritchard
This could lead to a scenario where society robbed them of their childhood, the researchers said.This could lead to a scenario where society robbed them of their childhood, the researchers said.
The estimate is based on population studies dating back ten years. The estimate is based on population studies dating back 10 years.
Professor Colin Pritchard and Tony Sayers found that 85% of child homicides were carried out by a family member - only in 15% of the cases were the children killed by somebody outside the family.Professor Colin Pritchard and Tony Sayers found that 85% of child homicides were carried out by a family member - only in 15% of the cases were the children killed by somebody outside the family.
They estimated that 912 violent child sex abusers from outside the family were at large in the UK at any one time and between 14 and 16 of them go on to kill a child aged five to 14.They estimated that 912 violent child sex abusers from outside the family were at large in the UK at any one time and between 14 and 16 of them go on to kill a child aged five to 14.
Roy Whiting kidnapped and killed eight-year-old Sarah Payne in 2000Roy Whiting kidnapped and killed eight-year-old Sarah Payne in 2000
Prof Pritchard said: "High profile child murders lead parents to fear for their children's safety but perception of risk is often at variance with reality.Prof Pritchard said: "High profile child murders lead parents to fear for their children's safety but perception of risk is often at variance with reality.
"Our results place the dangers in a better perspective, which is needed to redress the climate of fear surrounding our children."Our results place the dangers in a better perspective, which is needed to redress the climate of fear surrounding our children.
"There are two messages from this research, that these assailants are very rare and because of public misperception, we are in danger of robbing our children of their childhood because we keep them too close.""There are two messages from this research, that these assailants are very rare and because of public misperception, we are in danger of robbing our children of their childhood because we keep them too close."
Prof Pritchard added: "The total number of children killed by someone from outside the family [between 14 and 16] is far lower than most people suspect and is lower than the average 150 children, aged 0 to 14, killed by motorists on the UK's roads annually."Prof Pritchard added: "The total number of children killed by someone from outside the family [between 14 and 16] is far lower than most people suspect and is lower than the average 150 children, aged 0 to 14, killed by motorists on the UK's roads annually."
The study has been published in the February edition of the British Journal of Social Work.The study has been published in the February edition of the British Journal of Social Work.