BANFF : 'MOSQUITO' TO TAKE SWIPE AT ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

BANFF 'MOSQUITO' TO TAKE SWIPE AT ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

A Device which broadcasts an irritating sound audible only to teenagers is the newest weapon in the fight against antisocial behaviour in a north-east town.

Grampian Police officers in Banff have been given a "Mosquito" to try and disperse gangs of youths who have been causing problems at the town.

The Mosquito is a small white box which can be fixed to walls. It is designed to irritate young people so much that after several minutes of the noise they have to leave the area.

It is named the Mosquito because the sound resembles that of a buzzing insect. It works by emitting a harmless ultrasonic tone that generally can only be heard by people aged 20 and under.

In trials, it has proven that the longer someone is exposed to the sound, the more annoying it becomes.

With an effective range of between 50ft and 65ft, the Mosquito has been snapped up by police forces and retailers around the UK.

Banff-based Inspector Colin Mowat says the device will be deployed in areas of the town where there have been long-term problems with teenagers.

He said: "This is a device which has been purchased by the Banff and District Community Safety Group and it gives us another tool to fight antisocial behaviour with in the town.

"It omits a frequency, creating a noise which can only be picked up by young ears.

"The noise creates discomfort it is heard for a long time.

"It will be used to break up groups in areas where there have been long-term problems .

"However, the areas where they will be positioned have not been sorted out yet."

The device has caused controversy in other areas of the UK, where some people have questioned the ethics of such a product.

However, the company behind the device, Compound Security Systems, insist it poses no danger and has been rigorously tested.

Insp Mowat added: "Banff has sporadic problems with antisocial behaviour, like any other town of this size and we are thankful to the Banff and District Community Safety Group for purchasing this device as it gives us a great tool in our fight against antisocial behaviour."

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