Northern Territory Police are urging all parents to not leave their children unattended in cars after a nine-month-old baby was accidentally locked in a car In Nhulunbuy yesterday.

Police attended the Captain Cook Shopping Centre on Arnhem Road shortly after 10:00 am.

On police arrival, several members of the public had assembled around the car and were holding up a blue tarp to provide shade for the baby who was becoming distressed.

After several attempts to gain access to the vehicle, police smashed the front passenger window with the bottom of a baton.

A police officer was taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries sustained as result of smashing the window, the baby was not harmed.

It appears the central locking was accidentally activated and the child was locked inside with the keys.

Superintendent Helen Braam said it was fortunate the child was not harmed in the incident.

"The mother was extremely distraught and tried everything to get the baby out, but in the end the quickest way was to smash a window.

"You never think it will happen to you, and it might only be for a minute, but parents need to be aware of the potential danger of leaving children in cars and need to remain vigilant at all times.

"It doesn't take long for a car to heat up and a child can face serious health problems, particularly in the heat we are experiencing in the build up," she said.

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