POLICE have warned parents they could face cruelty charges if they lock their children inside the car during hot weather.

The warning comes after a Stockton officer, who is a father-of-two, spotted a three-year-old girl locked in her parent's car during sweltering heat outside.

Seeing the girl asleep on the back seat, Inspector Eric Robinson was about to break into the Rover Mini when the father appeared.

Insp Robinson said: "I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was an extremely hot day and here was a situation where a very young girl had been left alone in the car for a significant amount of time, with no ventilation whatsoever.

"I checked nearby shops and offices but the car owner was nowhere in sight. Fortunately, the young girl woke up and I could see she was all right, but at one stage I was considering breaking into the car.

"When her father eventually returned to the car he was clearly embarrassed by the police and public attention, and did not appear to realise the potential risk to his child's well being."

The man was given a "stern talking to" but it could have been worse - parents can be prosecuted and face prison if found guilty of neglect or cruelty.

Insp Robinson added: "As well as leaving children in an extremely vulnerable position if someone wanted to abduct them, the extreme temperatures can have disastrous effects on young children and can cause death.

"Police do have powers to force entry in order to protect children. If a child is taken into police protection it triggers a multi-agency response and searching questions will be asked of parents who put their children in such dangerous situations."