WEST Mercia Police is taking part in a European-wide campaign this week to encourage people to use their seat belts.

12 people have been killed and 25 seriously injured in crashes in West Mercia where a seatbelt has not been worn over the past two years.

Assistant Chief Constable Martin Evans is now urging drivers and passengers to obey the law and 'belt up' every time they travel in a car.

He said: "Sadly, I have seen the aftermath of far too many collisions where people have been killed as a result of not wearing a seat belt and where serious injuries could've been avoided.

"Although the vast majority of people do wear their seat belt, there are still some who either choose not to or simply forget.

"Drivers and passengers who fail to wear seat belts in the front and back of vehicles are breaking the law and face an on-the-spot fine of £100. If prosecuted, the maximum fine can be up to £500.

"It takes just a couple of seconds to put your seat belt on and many vehicles now have seat belt reminder devices, so there really isn't any excuse.

"Making sure children are restrained in correctly fitted car seats is just as vital."

Local officers will be carrying out enforcement activity throughout this week as part of the campaign.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service's Group Commander Mick Cadman added: "Seat belts are common practice for most people but we want to encourage people that even for short journeys you should 'belt up' and make sure that everyone in your car has a seat belt on.

"Our firefighters attend a large number of road traffic collisions each year and wearing a seat belt can massively reduce the resulting injuries to passengers and could mean the difference between life and death.

"No matter what speed or how short the journey is, always wear a seat belt."

The seat belt campaign started on Monday, March 12, and will end on Sunday, March 18.

Drivers and passengers aged between 17 and 34 have the lowest seat belt-wearing rates in the country and the highest collision rates.

For more information on seatbelts and child car seats visit http://think.direct.gov.uk/seat-belts.html or http://www.childcarseats.org.uk or http://www.goodeggcarsafety.com