A woman driver has been arrested after a five-year-old girl was in a collision outside Hereward House School, in Strathray Gardens, Belsize Park.

The accident happened at around 3:40pm last Thursday.

The incident has sparked calls for schools to take action against parents who park dangerously and drive carelessly outside their gates.

The child, who was with her mother picking up a sibling from the school, was in collision with a black Toyota, according to police.

An ambulance rushed to the scene and the youngster was taken to the Royal Free Hospital, in Hampstead, where she was treated for minor injuries.

A police spokesman said: “The driver of the car drove off. Officers from Camden Police later arrested a 47-year-old woman in connection with the incident.”

The woman, who has not yet been named, has been bailed to return for questioning by police officers next week.

Local resident Roger Montgomery, who lives in Belsize Crescent, said: “It was only a matter of time before a child was injured.

‘‘It was bound to happen and something has got to be done.

“Parents all drive into the area to pick up their children in the mornings and afternoons.

‘‘They park illegally, on zig-zag lines next to crossings, on chevrons and blockiing pavements. It is dangerous.”

Mr Montgomery, who helped set up the Belsize Crescent neighbourhood watch scheme, said: “The schools have got to take reponsibility and do something about the situation. I cannot understand why they don’t put on small buses for pupils.

‘‘At the very least, staff or a rota of parents should be patrolling to stop dangerous parking.”

Hereward House headmaster Pascal Evans said two teachers were on duty outside at the time of the accident.

He said: “There was a minor incident involving the sibling of a Hereward House boy in response to which normal precautions were taken. “The driver was a solo driver and was not on the school run. The incident was towards the end of the school day. The school gladly accommodated the family’s request to assist in assessing the child. Very minor first aid was administered and the child returned to her school the following day.”