A young Angus politician has pushed forward the campaign for the banning of Mosquito devices.
Andrew Deans, member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP), presented evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee, outlining the case to outlaw the machines, which emit a loud, unpleasant, high-pitched noise that can only be heard by those under 25.
The devices are commonly installedby shopkeepers to stop large groupsof teenagers congregating outsidestores and Mr Deans claimed their use amounted to nothing more than discrimination.
Howard Stapleton, inventor of the Mosquito device, and Lisa Sturgess, of the National Autistic Society, also gave evidence at the meeting.
Mr Deans said: ”There is no doubt the Mosquito is a clear example of direct discrimination against young people, which would not be tolerated against any other group in society.
”I am pleased to see the committee asking Mr Stapleton tough questions and I hope it is clear to the committee there are serious human rights issues surrounding these pieces of equipment.
”I hope the evidence presented will encourage the Scottish Government to take firm action to protect Scotland’s young people from this unjustifiable assault upon their rights.”
Public petitions committee member Mark MacDonald MSP said: ”There is no justification for the use of the device.
”It is a sonic assault on young people.”’Alienate young people’A ban on Mosquito devices was first proposed at the SYP National Sitting in March 2010.
The issue was later included in SYP’s Change The Picture youth manifesto, with 67% of the near 43,000 consultation responses from young people supporting an outright ban.
Only 18% of respondents disagreed with a ban and 16% were unsure.
First appearing before the petitions committee in October 2010, the campaign has seen supportive written evidence from numerous organisations, including the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People and the Federation of Small Businesses.
In March last year, Fergus Ewing, the then minister for community safety, said: “The Scottish Government does not support and has never supported the use of the devices.”
A SYP spokesperson said: ”The Scottish Youth Parliament believes the use of Mosquitos, predominantly by shopkeepers, is discriminatory, countereffective, may have health effects and certainly causes severe discomfort, especially to those with autism, who find the noise emitted incredibly distressing.
”It is a form of collective punishment of all young people, which serves only to shift any problems and at the same time alienate young people.
”Instead, positive solutions, where shopkeepers, the police and young people all work together, should be used to solve loitering problems.”
Photo: PA