Mosquitos set to bite dust as yob deterrent

The so-called "mosquito" device emits a high-pitched noise which can only be heard by those up to around 25 years old and is used to deter young people from congregating.

But, at a committee meeting next week, councillors in Sheffield are set to consider refusing to endorse the devices and encouraging other organisations in the city to follow suit.

They claim the devices merely move the problem elsewhere and say there is little research into the effects on children's health of being exposed to such high frequencies.

Coun Shaffaq Mohammed said: "If you are under 25, so-called mosquito devices are deeply uncomfortable to listen to.

"Residents living nearby will understandably have little sympathy with young people who are being a nuisance, but what about those who are just going about their normal business, or babies and young children out shopping with their parents? The mosquito doesn't discriminate and that's unfair.

"What we've found is that these devices don't tackle the underlying causes of anti-social behaviour, they just move it somewhere else. We need to work with young people rather than against them.

"We believe in preventing anti-social behaviour by intervening early on and working positively with young people who are seen as at risk of causing problems.

"This approach is already paying off, and levels of reported anti social behaviour have reduced over the last 12 months."

Harrison Carter, a 17-year-old member of the UK Youth Parliament in Sheffield, said the move was "encouraging" and added: "It's a device that discriminates against young people, making no distinction between those that are law-abiding or being anti-social.

"The council, I believe, recognises that a more hands-on approach would be much more beneficial."