A WEEK-long campaign on seatbelts by Dorset Police to reduce the number of children hurt in car crashes launched on Monday.

Officers will visit schools across the county at morning drop-off times to enforce seatbelt and child seat laws as part of the International Seatbelt Campaign, running until Sunday, March 15.

The campaign, held in conjunction with Dorset Roadsafe and No Excuse, is in reaction to statistics which show that the number of children killed or seriously injured in traffic collisions has risen nationally for the first time in 20 years.

Inspector Matt Butler of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit said: “Although we are achieving our child casualty reduction targets, 189 children were injured in collisions in Dorset last year. That is 189 too many.”

He added: “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.”