A year ago, new child car seat laws came into force in a bid to protect children travelling by car.

While police were unable to break down figures relating to car seat offences, they have said that 41 people in 12 months have been given £30 fines for failing to ensure that their children were strapped in.

Offenders were pulled up after officers spotted one of two offences – either a child under three failing to wear a rear seatbelt or a child over three but under 14 failing to wear a rear seatbelt.

Police are concerned people are still not aware of the legislation or are choosing to ignore it.

John Hodgson, casualty reduction sergeant, said: “It’s a concern when children are reliant on parents to carry them safely.

“We do see children who are not using the appropriate booster seat or booster cushion and there’s a certain amount of non-compliance. Many people are still not aware of the legislation.

“There are lots of outlets where you can get child car seats fitted or checked.

“Our officers have the power to issue fines to anyone who is not complying with the law.”

The rules, which came into force last year, mean that all children up to the age of 12 or those under 1.35m (4ft 5in) have to use a car seat or booster seat.

However, a recent survey by insurers Churchill showed one-in-10 parents mistakenly think that once their child reaches the age of eight they can safely use an adult seatbelt.

Jason McCann, a fitter at the Kettering Halfords store in Northfield Avenue, said that because the store is near Kettering General Hospital, they get parents coming in who have never restrained their children but have had an accident. He said: “They come in with the scars to prove it.”

Parent Victoria Foley of Kettering has two children under the age of six.

She said: “I made sure I had the correct booster seats for them and I don’t let them get in other cars without them. So many people ignore the rules, it’s frightening.”