The Policy Studies Institute has published research using data collected in 1971, 1990 and 2010, that shows that over the past forty years, primary-school children in England have lost much of their freedom to get about in their local neighbourhood without adult supervision.
This loss of independence applies to their leisure and recreational activities as well as to their travel to and from school. Only 25 per cent of primary-school children in England are allowed to travel home from school alone, compared with 86 per cent in 1971.
The research also found that English primary school children have far less independence to get about alone when compared to German children of the same age.
Mayer Hillman, who directed the first two studies and has been involved in collecting and analysing the findings said: "It is highly regrettable that so little attention has been paid to the damage caused by this erosion of children's freedoms and decline in their quality of life. Far more effort needs to be invested in reversing the process that has had such an unfortunate outcome."
Cath Prisk, director of Play England said: "This study confirms our own research that there are more barriers to playing out and travelling independently for children today than for previous generations.
"Parents and communities who want to buck this worrying trend should think about how to take control of their own neighbourhoods to ensure that children can play out like they used to."
