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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Company defends anti-teen device | Company defends anti-teen device |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A south Wales company making a sonic "teenage deterrent" which has sold 5,000 units worldwide has defended the device after calls to ban it. | A south Wales company making a sonic "teenage deterrent" which has sold 5,000 units worldwide has defended the device after calls to ban it. |
| Known as the Mosquito, it emits a high-pitched noise which can only be heard by young people. | |
| Children's commissioners for England and Scotland and human rights group Liberty say they infringe the rights of young people. | Children's commissioners for England and Scotland and human rights group Liberty say they infringe the rights of young people. |
| But that was denied by Compound Security Systems (CSS), of Abercynon. | But that was denied by Compound Security Systems (CSS), of Abercynon. |
| Simon Morris of CSS said the mosquito operated at 85 decibels and described the noise as being "quieter than modest passing traffic". | Simon Morris of CSS said the mosquito operated at 85 decibels and described the noise as being "quieter than modest passing traffic". |
| He said the company took legal advice before putting the product on the market in October 2006, and there are an estimated 3,500 in use in the UK. | He said the company took legal advice before putting the product on the market in October 2006, and there are an estimated 3,500 in use in the UK. |
| "We've spent an inordinate amount of time, effort and money making sure the device is safe and doesn't breach anybody's rights," Mr Morris said. | "We've spent an inordinate amount of time, effort and money making sure the device is safe and doesn't breach anybody's rights," Mr Morris said. |
| The frequency of the device is above the hearing range of most people aged over 25 and is being used by local councils and police forces across the UK. | The frequency of the device is above the hearing range of most people aged over 25 and is being used by local councils and police forces across the UK. |
| Liberty says the Mosquito has "no place in a civilised society" | |
| "We have been campaigning since the third month of having the product on the market for somebody to assist us in putting together a code of practice for its used and for it to be licensed and controlled," Mr Smith added. | "We have been campaigning since the third month of having the product on the market for somebody to assist us in putting together a code of practice for its used and for it to be licensed and controlled," Mr Smith added. |
| The mosquito was invented by Howard Stapleton, from Merthyr Tydfil, after his 14-year-old daughter returned empty-handed from a trip to a shop because of the rowdy teenagers outside. | The mosquito was invented by Howard Stapleton, from Merthyr Tydfil, after his 14-year-old daughter returned empty-handed from a trip to a shop because of the rowdy teenagers outside. |
| The noise from the box, which costs about £500, was audible after five to 10 minutes to most teenagers but not all, and has a record of driving gangs away from troublespots. | The noise from the box, which costs about £500, was audible after five to 10 minutes to most teenagers but not all, and has a record of driving gangs away from troublespots. |
| The Children's Commissioner for England, Professor Sir Albert Aynsley-Green wants a ban on the Mosquito on the grounds that it infringes the rights of young people, and he is supported by his Scottish counterpart. | |
| 'Demonising children' | 'Demonising children' |
| Prof Aynsley-Green's campaign will urge businesses to abandon its use, and will even encourage children to report instances of it being used against them. | Prof Aynsley-Green's campaign will urge businesses to abandon its use, and will even encourage children to report instances of it being used against them. |
| He is also understood to be prepared to bring a test case in the courts if necessary. | He is also understood to be prepared to bring a test case in the courts if necessary. |
| "These devices are indiscriminate and target all children and young people, including babies, regardless of whether they are behaving or misbehaving," Prof Aynsley-Green said. | "These devices are indiscriminate and target all children and young people, including babies, regardless of whether they are behaving or misbehaving," Prof Aynsley-Green said. |
| "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." |
| Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights group Liberty, said: "These untested, unregulated devices are at best a dog whistle and at worst a sonic weapon directed against children and young people. | Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights group Liberty, said: "These untested, unregulated devices are at best a dog whistle and at worst a sonic weapon directed against children and young people. |
| "They have no place in a civilised society." | "They have no place in a civilised society." |
| Rob Gough, one of the first to test out the device at the Spar shop he runs in Barry said he would defy any ban. | Rob Gough, one of the first to test out the device at the Spar shop he runs in Barry said he would defy any ban. |
| Mr Gough, who has been stabbed in work himself, said: "I think it's absolutely absurd that they can compare the abuse my staff have suffered to the effect of the Mosquito - it's just a noise that annoys. | |
| "It's not even loud, and doesn't cause any damage," he added. | "It's not even loud, and doesn't cause any damage," he added. |