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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Call to scrap 'anti-teen' device | Call to scrap 'anti-teen' device |
| (30 minutes 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, which exploit the fact that a person's ability to hear high frequencies generally declines once they reach their 20s, have proved popular with councils and police who aim to tackle anti-social behaviour by using them to disperse groups of youths. | The devices, which exploit the fact that a person's ability to hear high frequencies generally declines once they reach their 20s, have proved popular with councils and police who aim to tackle anti-social behaviour by using them to disperse groups of youths. |
| What type of society uses a low-level sonic weapon on its children? Shami ChakrabartiLiberty 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. | What type of society uses a low-level sonic weapon on its children? Shami ChakrabartiLiberty 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. |
| Device emits a tone between 17.5KHz and 18.5KHz inaudible to people over about 25 yearsTone can be heard from a distance of 15-20mExposure to sound becomes annoying after 5-10 minutesSound automatically shuts off after 20 minutes | |
| "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. | 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. |
| However, Roger Hutchings, who manages a shopping centre that uses the device, said he felt the debate was about the use of the equipment, not the Mosquito itself. | However, Roger Hutchings, who manages a shopping centre that uses the device, said he felt the debate was about the use of the equipment, not the Mosquito itself. |
| class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAY Screaming kids frequently cause 'discomfort' to my ears. If it gets rid of the little brats, I am all for it Bill, Southampton class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4272&edition=1&ttl=20080212093436">Send us your comments | |
| Mr Hutchings, who manages the Queensgate Shopping Centre, in Peterborough, said: "It's something we don't use as a matter of habit and we certainly don't use it consistently and regularly." | |
| 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." |