[Infowarrior] - Now crime gadget can annoy us all

[Richard Forno]

  Now crime gadget can annoy us all

By Sarah Campbell
BBC Education and Social Policy Correspondent

A device designed to move on would-be criminals has been updated so as  
not to discriminate against the young.

But it is still being criticised by civil liberty campaigners.

The Mosquito emits a high-pitched sound and has been designed for use  
in potential crime hotspots such as subways and underground car parks.

The idea is that the noise it produces is so annoying that criminals  
will not want to hang around.

The Mosquito Mark 4 is a new version of the original Mosquito launched  
in 2005 - which was criticised for targeting only young people.

'Unwanted youths'

That version emitted a noise at such a high frequency that it was  
usually only audible to those under the age of 25.

Over 3,000 have been sold for use in the UK. Many have been placed  
outside shops, fast-food outlets and transport hubs - places where  
owners feel groups of unwanted youths are gathering.

However, their use has led to a national campaign - backed by the  
Children's Commissioner, the National Youth Agency and Liberty -  
calling for them to be banned.

They argue that even if the devices cause no damage to hearing they  
are an unfair attack on young people's human rights.

The makers, Compound Security Systems, have come up with a solution -  
a Mosquito which is annoying whatever people's age.

The new Mark 4 has an additional setting which allows the user to  
lower the frequency enabling the sound to be heard by people of any age.

The sound is emitted at 100 decibels - according to its inventor  
Howard Stapleton, it does not have to be loud to move people on.

He said: "It is quieter than a child playing the violin. What makes it  
appear loud is the fact that it is going on and off four times a  
second. That's what makes it very annoying."

'Buzz off' campaign

The new Mosquito, which went on sale last month, has already been  
selling well abroad.

According to the company, a major chain of hotels in Canada sees them  
as a way to keep homeless people out of their car parks.

In the UK, it is understood that one police force is about to start  
testing its Mosquito in an underpass favoured by muggers. A national  
car park chain is also said to be interested in trying the device out.

The "Buzz Off" campaign targeting the "anti-teen" device continues,  
with several councils in the UK banning its use.

There are now calls for the authorities to look at regulating against  
the new version.

Shami Chakrabati, Director of human rights group Liberty, said: "I  
think we need urgent research and regulation by the authorities. It's  
not going to stop determined criminals.

"It could cause damage to the rest of us and certainly make our lives  
a bit of a misery."

There is currently no specific legislation against the Mosquito.

According to the Local Government Association there are a number of  
ways currently being used to disperse potentially anti-social groups  
including talking CCTV and playing music.

A spokesman told the BBC: "So called 'Mosquito' deterrents could break  
the law but only if they're deemed to be causing a nuisance.

"If a council thinks there is a nuisance, either because they've  
received a complaint, or have detected it themselves, they have a duty  
under nuisance laws to investigate it."

On sale for less than £500, the sound of the new Mosquito has the  
potential to become annoyingly familiar - whatever your age.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/7759818.stm

Published: 2008/12/02 08:00:40 GMT

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