A ban on car cruises in Trafford Park is now in action across Trafford as a whole, five years on from the death of a teenager from Radcliffe.

The authorities banned these events in the industrial park by way of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in 2016.

Despite the ban on car cruises in Trafford Park, these events continued and, in 2018, one of them ended in tragedy when Sophie Louise Smith, from Radcliffe, was hit by a driver who lost control of his car and careered into a crowd of spectators on Europa Way.

The driver Scott Watkins, from Salford, was imprisoned for causing death by dangerous driving a number of other driving offences.

However, overall, Trafford Council said the PSPO reduced the number of incidents and when it reviewed the PSPO at the start of this month it took the decision to put it in action across the borough as a whole.

READ MORE: Police on the case of car cruise at Trafford Centre.

Rose Thompson, the executive member for communities and safety at Trafford Council, said: "These unauthorised events on our roads are dangerous to the drivers, dangerous to the people watching and dangerous to the public.

"The order has helped to reduce the number of incidents but we are still getting unauthorised events on our roads and it needs to stop.

"We will continue to crackdown on people who disregard the safety of others to show off in their cars."

Anyone involved in a car cruise is liable for a fine of up to £100 if resolved on the spot or up to £1000 if resolved in court.

Cllr Thompson said: "If you want to show off in your car, there are organised events where you can do so safely.

"Speeding on our roads is reckless and we will not stand for it.

"Our residents deserve to live in peace and in safety and this order will help us to protect them."

The PSPO lasts for three years after which it is reviewed. For information go to the Trafford Council website.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.