Different times Mac, I assume small children living near each other were safe to play or perhaps the parent thought they were safe in the garden in those days, but children are always curious. As I remember they children were cherished and in loving families. I remember Mr & Mrs Hogg an older couple with their first child together. every Sunday with a huge bouquet of flowers for their little sons grave. Mr & Mrs Johnson their first child. Later they had two daughters. Sadly I didn’t know the other two families.
No one would let their child out of their sight after the tragedy. I think of James Bulgers Mum, let go of his hand for a moment to pay for shopping and he was stolen by two 10 year old children who murdered him. Who in a million years could imagine that could happen.