Welwyn Hatfield based police held a road safety event at the Galleria Shopping Centre in Hatfield to highlight the dangers of driving.

The event on October 11 was supported by colleagues in the Beds, Cambs and Herts Road Policing Unit (RPU), the Herts Fire & Rescue Service, and Ford UK.

They spoke to shoppers about road safety, and the effects of antisocial driving which some young people can be drawn into.

To drill home the message there was also a Ford Focus which had been modified into a simulator, which powerfully brought home effects of a collision using specially-created hydraulics, smoke, and light systems.

Fire services were also on hand to explain some of the techniques they use to free drivers after a serious collision.

Sergeant Robert Gurney, from the Hertsmere and Welwyn Hatfield community safety unit, said: “This was a partnership event aimed at raising awareness among young people of road safety issues and in particular the effects that antisocial driving can have on communities and other road users.

“It was a great location because of the sheer number of visitors that the shopping centre service station receives, and both the crash car and the fire appliance drew a lot of interest.”