A tutor is demanding harsher penalties for drivers putting children at risk after two of her students were run over outside schools in the last two months.

A nine-year-old boy received a broken leg and a 17-year-old girl received 21 stitches and a concussion when they were hit by cars outside Havering schools.

Kavitha Niranjan, owner of Hornchurch-based Tutorial Ltd where both children receive tuition, said: “There needs to be a harsher penalty for drivers who are being so dangerous and putting our children at risk.”

The calls of Mrs Niranjan, whose own 9-year-old daughter was nearly run over last week, follow an incident where a four-year-old boy was hit outside Hilldene Primary School, in Straight Road, Harold Hill.

The 17-year-old student at Coopers’ Company and Coborn School, in St Marys Lane, Upminster, had 17 stitches in her forehead and four below her eye when she was knocked down last month at a zebra crossing by her college.

The girl, who wishes not to be named, said safety needs to be stepped up on roads surrounding schools because of the vulnerable children crossing them.

Police inquiries into the incident are ongoing.

Romit Talukder, 9, broke his leg when he was hit outside Langtons Junior Academy, in Westland Avenue, Hornchurch, in September.

His mother, Rupa, 33, of Wedlake Close, Hornchurch, said: “It’s really terrible. There’s nothing outside the school to help them cross and if you come in the morning there’s a lot of traffic.

“They should have a lollipop person during school hours.”

She said her husband, who saw the incident, has been left “traumatised”.

Council leader Cllr Roger Ramsey said: “We’re doing absolutely everything we can with the resources we have.

“Our enforcement officers cover an extremely large area, but residents should be assured that tackling parking and driving issues at schools is one of our main priorities.”

Mrs Niranjan is holding a public meeting on Tuesday at 6.30pm at Tutorial Ltd, North Street, Hornchurch, for parents to express their road safety concerns.