DORSET police are cracking down on unsafe school-run drivers this week as they visit the county's schools for a new international seatbelt campaign.

Police officers are attending schools during morning drop-off times to enforce seatbelt and child car seat laws as part of the campaign, which aims to reduce the number of children killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions.

Running this week until Sunday, March 15, the campaign is operating alongside a TISPOL Europe-wide campaign and in conjunction with other schemes like Dorset Roadsafe and No Excuse.

Dorset Police said the campaign will have an important impact as the number of children killed or seriously injured in traffic collisions has risen nationally for the first time in 20 years, and findings show that two in every three child car seats are not fitted correctly.

The news comes as the force also revealed nearly 200 children were injured last year in Dorset road collisions.

Traffic Inspector Matt Butler said: “Motorists and passengers who fail to wear their seatbelts while driving will be targeted in the week-long campaign.

“Although we are achieving our child casualty reduction targets, 189 children were injured in collisions in Dorset last year. That is 189 too many.

"Wearing a seatbelt is a very simple action which drivers and passengers can carry out to increase their safety on the roads.

" As part of the campaign we will also be educating people about the dangers of not fitting child seats correctly.

“It is the responsibility of the driver to ensure everyone being carried in that vehicle is correctly restrained so please, take the time to ensure your child seat is properly installed and that everyone who gets into your vehicle is belted up safely.”

Dorset Police said any motorists needing advice on the fitting of child seats can contact their local authority road safety department, or attend any of the free car seat check sessions held by Bournemouth Road Safety Department.

Free car seat check sessions are also being held between 11am and 4pm at the Littledown Centre in Bournemouth on March 9, June 4, August 4 and November 24 this year.

For more information visit dorset.police.uk or contact your local authority road safety department.