Call to ban sonic device that targets the young

The children's commissioners for England and Scotland have joined civil liberties campaigners to call for the banning of a device which emits a high-pitched noise specifically designed to disperse young people.

The gadget, called the Mosquito, was invented in 2006 and is used in public places to force groups of teenagers to leave the area. It emits high-pitched frequencies to which babies, children and young people are particularly sensitive. Campaigners say around 3,500 devices are in use.

The Mosquito

A high-pitched sonic device hailed as the perfect weapon to disperse unruly teenagers should be banned because it demonises young people, says the children's watchdog. Do you agree?

Your answer

Yes No Indifferent

• See poll results
• 55 comments

A high-pitched sonic device hailed as the perfect weapon to disperse unruly teenagers should be banned because it demonises young people, says the children's watchdog. Do you agree?

Yes	37%
No	59%
Indifferent	4%

• 55 comments

Yesterday, the Children's Commissioner for England, Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green, launched the "Buzz Off" campaign to ban the device. "I have spoken to many children and young people from all over England who have been deeply affected by ultra-sonic teenage deterrents," he said.

"These devices are indiscriminate and target all children and young people, including babies, regardless of whether they are behaving or misbehaving."

Kathleen Marshall, Commissioner for Children and Young People in Scotland, said: "Its use would not be tolerated for any other section of our society. Young people have a right to assemble and socialise with their friends, without being treated as criminals."

Shami Chakrabarti, the director of the human rights group Liberty, said: "Imagine the outcry if a device was introduced that caused blanket discomfort to people of one race or gender, rather than to our kids."

The Mosquito was invented by Howard Stapleton, of Merthyr Tydfil, south Wales, and is manufactured by the security systems company Compound. The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), which represents 33,000 local shops, has defended its use.

James Lowman, the association's chief executive, said: "Unfortunately, in many locations around the country, retailers are victims of anti-social gangs of youths that congregate around their premises. These youths deter customers, intimidate staff and can commit vandalism and violence."