Six motorists were issued with fines as dangerous driving and unsafe parking were targeted at the gates of an Oxford school this afternoon.

Police pulled over five parents within 10 minutes for not wearing a seatbelt and one van driver for using a mobile phone outside Bayards Hill Primary School in Waynflete Road, Barton.

The operation, timed to coincide with the end of the school day at 3pm, saw the deployment of three PCSOs, two uniformed Pcs and a plain-clothes "spotter" at the request of parents and those living nearby.

In addition to the five drivers fined £30 for not buckling up and the one motorist given three points and a £60 fine for using a mobile phone, about half a dozen drivers were warned about their dangerous or inconsiderate parking.

Pc Dan Godden said: "Speeding, parking and antisocial behaviour are our three priorities in this area. We have also received complaints of people going too fast round corners and too fast near schools.

"One of the main problems when people drop their kids off or pick them up is this road can become gridlocked and there is a high potential for collisions. Our main goal is to reduce that risk."

"When we are here patrolling in uniform, people tend to be more responsible.

"We are looking at patrolling in plain clothes, so we can better assess the situation, and we will give advice to motorists because we can't issue tickets when we are not in uniform.

"I don't have the power to put down double yellow lines personally, but if I think it's necessary I can take it to Oxfordshire County Council.

"We are working closely with the school in trying to find a long-term solution, but in the meantime we will continue these operations and ensure things run smoothly outside the school.

"We were here earlier in the year and will be doing more checks like this in the future."

Although Barton Pool, which is 150 metres down the road, allows parents to park vehicles in its car park, many continue to drive up the kerb and double-park to be nearer the school gates.

Lisa Pardy, 42, who was collecting her seven-year-old son Steven, said: "It’s about time the police were here again.

"People are parking everywhere and it’s very dangerous for the children when they cross the road.

"You need to think of the children's safety. I've seen many a kid nearly get knocked over up here."

John Turner, 67, who was waiting for his son Jason, seven, said: "It's getting worse. People are double-parking and it's a nightmare for the big buses getting through. I'm glad to see the police and I'm glad things are being done, but there needs to be a long-term solution."

Steph Fawdry the 400-pupil school's deputy headteacher, said: "We are working together with the police to ensure children can come to school safely.

"We want parents to bring their children to school knowing there is no issue with traffic. Having a good relationship with the police really does help."