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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| No plan to ban 'anti-teen' device | No plan to ban 'anti-teen' device |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| There are no plans in England to ban the use of devices which emit a high-pitched sound to disperse groups of teenagers, the government has said. | There are no plans in England to ban the use of devices which emit a high-pitched sound to disperse groups of teenagers, the government has said. |
| But it stressed the Mosquito devices, which can cause discomfort to youngsters' ears, should be "a last resort" against anti-social behaviour. | But it stressed the Mosquito devices, which can cause discomfort to youngsters' ears, should be "a last resort" against anti-social behaviour. |
| The children's commissioner and other critics want a ban, saying the gadget is indiscriminate in who it targets. | The children's commissioner and other critics want a ban, saying the gadget is indiscriminate in who it targets. |
| Some stores say the devices can be useful against anti-social youths. | Some stores say the devices can be useful against anti-social youths. |
| What humans can hear | |
| We will continue to tackle the underlying problems through better neighbourhood policing Government spokesman Mosquito device splits opinionFirm defends teen deterrent | |
| In a statement issued after the calls for a ban, the government said: "'Mosquito alarms' are not banned and the government has no plans to do so. | In a statement issued after the calls for a ban, the government said: "'Mosquito alarms' are not banned and the government has no plans to do so. |
| "Obviously no-one would want to have to use a device like this, and it should very much be seen as a last resort. | "Obviously no-one would want to have to use a device like this, and it should very much be seen as a last resort. |
| "We will continue to tackle the underlying problems through better neighbourhood policing, giving young people alternative things to do in their spare time and, where necessary, using the powers we have put in place to prevent anti-social behaviour." | "We will continue to tackle the underlying problems through better neighbourhood policing, giving young people alternative things to do in their spare time and, where necessary, using the powers we have put in place to prevent anti-social behaviour." |
| Human rights | |
| The device has proved popular with councils wanting to tackle nuisance problems, and some 3,500 are estimated to be in use in England. | |
| It works on the basis that a person's ability to hear high frequencies tends to decline once they reach their 20s. | |
| 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 banned. | |
| Critics say the "Mosquito" targets all young people and not just those who may be causing a nuisance. | |
| They say its use to disperse gangs is a breach of children's human rights. | |
| Sir Al Aynsley-Green, children's commissioner for England, said children and young people were being demonised, "creating a dangerous and widening divide between the young and the old". | |
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