THERE has been a sudden and alarming increase in the number of children being knocked down by vehicles in Honiton.

THERE has been a sudden and alarming increase in the number of children being knocked down by vehicles in Honiton.

That is what police told Honiton Town Council this week.

Neighbourhood Beat Manager Pc Ian Atyeo issued a warning to parents and teenagers.

"The message from the police is keep tightly hold of younger children," he said.

"Older children are urged to pay more attention to road traffic dangers."

Pc Atyeo said the figures "sprung off the page" at him as he was collating crime statistics.

Following an accident outside Honiton Community College, involving a young girl, three collisions have been reported to police in the past month.

A young child, accompanied by an adult, was knocked down in Dowell Street on February 10 - after pulling away from the adult's grip.

Another child sustained minor injuries after being hit by a vehicle outside Honiton Pottery and Milkshake Bar, in High Street, on February 26.

A 15-year-old was thrown into the air after walking into the road near Tesco.

Pc Atyeo said the sun was setting low in the sky and the driver could not see the pedestrian.

On average, 37 children are killed or seriously injured on Britain's roads every week.

l The Government's Think! road safety campaign says: "As a parent or carer, you can help reduce the risks your child faces on our roads by teaching them how to be safe as pedestrians and cyclists.