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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Call to scrap 'anti-teen' device | Call to scrap 'anti-teen' device |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A high-pitched device used to disperse teenagers is being challenged by campaigners, who say it is not a fair way to treat young people. | A high-pitched device used to disperse teenagers is being challenged by campaigners, who say it is not a fair way to treat young people. |
| There are estimated to be 3,500 of the devices, known as the mosquito, in use across the country. | There are estimated to be 3,500 of the devices, known as the mosquito, in use across the country. |
| Their sound causes discomfort to young ears - but their frequency is above the normal hearing range of people over 25. | Their sound causes discomfort to young ears - but their frequency is above the normal hearing range of people over 25. |
| The Children's Commissioner for England says they should be scrapped as they infringe the rights of young people. | The Children's Commissioner for England says they should be scrapped as they infringe the rights of young people. |
| Negative views | Negative views |
| The devices have proved popular with councils and police who use them to disperse groups of youths engaged in anti-social behaviour. | The devices have proved popular with councils and police who use them to disperse groups of youths engaged in anti-social behaviour. |
| But a new campaign called "Buzz off", led by the Children's Commissioner for England and backed by groups including civil liberties group Liberty, is calling for them to be scrapped. | |
| The organisations want to highlight what they call the "increasingly negative" way society views and deals with children and young people. | The organisations want to highlight what they call the "increasingly negative" way society views and deals with children and young people. |
| Sir Al Aynsley-Green, Children's Commissioner for England, said he had spoken to many young people who had been "deeply affected" by the deterrents. | Sir Al Aynsley-Green, Children's Commissioner for England, said he had spoken to many young people who had been "deeply affected" by the deterrents. |
| He said: "These devices are indiscriminate and target all children and young people, including babies, regardless of whether they are behaving or misbehaving. | He said: "These devices are indiscriminate and target all children and young people, including babies, regardless of whether they are behaving or misbehaving. |
| What type of society uses a low-level sonic weapon on its children? Shami ChakrabartiLiberty | What type of society uses a low-level sonic weapon on its children? Shami ChakrabartiLiberty |
| "The use of measures such as these are simply demonising children and young people, creating a dangerous and widening divide between the young and the old." | "The use of measures such as these are simply demonising children and young people, creating a dangerous and widening divide between the young and the old." |
| He also argued that such an approach was "not addressing the root cause" of anti-social behaviour. | |
| Liberty director Shami Chakrabarti said the device had no place in a country which values its children. | Liberty director Shami Chakrabarti said the device had no place in a country which values its children. |
| "What type of society uses a low-level sonic weapon on its children? Imagine the outcry if a device was introduced that caused blanket discomfort to people of one race or gender, rather than to our kids," she said. | "What type of society uses a low-level sonic weapon on its children? Imagine the outcry if a device was introduced that caused blanket discomfort to people of one race or gender, rather than to our kids," she said. |
| The mosquito's inventor, Howard Stapleton, previously told the BBC the device was proven to be effective. | The mosquito's inventor, Howard Stapleton, previously told the BBC the device was proven to be effective. |
| He said: "As a father I realise the majority of young people are fun-loving and law abiding. | He said: "As a father I realise the majority of young people are fun-loving and law abiding. |
| "I find it sad that a system is needed to combat lawlessness, but its proven effectiveness shows how much it is needed to improve our communities." | "I find it sad that a system is needed to combat lawlessness, but its proven effectiveness shows how much it is needed to improve our communities." |