A CONTROVERSIAL weapon in the fight against anti-social behaviour is being used in Worcester - much to the delight of one businessman.

The mosquito - a device which emits a high-pitched noise to disperse groups of youngsters - was installed in Lyppard Grange shopping centre in Warndon Villages about six months ago.

Luca Gabriel, owner of Lyppards Fryer fish and chip shop, said the days when gangs of yobs terrorised his customers are now a thing of the past thanks to the mosquito and the introduction of an alcohol ban.

"These youngsters cost me £2,000 a week in turnover, because the customers don't want to come and have youths spitting at them," said the 30-year-old.

"These kids were stopping me putting food on my table.

"Since then we haven't had any more problems. There's no need for us to have it on any more. It's got rid of the youths."

The mosquito operates on a frequency which reportedly only affects the under 25s.

Shop manager Safet Kurtaj agreed it had transformed the area.

"They would just come round here, tip rubbish, have fights and mess around with the customers, swearing and spitting," said the 24-year-old.

"But we haven't had problems with kids for a while."

However Worcestershire county councillor John Buckley said the use of mosquito was "appalling". "I'm totally against it," said Coun Buckley, who is also a member of Warndon Parish Council. I feel that we treat our animals better than we do our young people and frankly I've always objected to it.

"The noise is so bad it can make youngsters feel ill and nauseous. My example is to try and find better things for people to do, better policing and to get rid of these ridiculous machines." The device, which costs about £500, was installed by the South Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership, which is made up of the county and district councils, the emergency services and other partners.

It is the only one it has provided in the area. The mosquito hit the headlines this week after the Children's Commissioner for England, Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green, joined civil liberties campaigners in a call for a ban on the device, which he said was indiscriminate and created a divide between young and old. A south Worcestershire police spokesman said none of the 14 mosquito devices held in the force area are deployed in the division, which includes Malvern Hills, Worcester and Wychavon. He said: "Mosquito dispersal devices do not breach health and safety regulations or local bylaws.

"It is perfectly legal for local businesses and private individuals to also use them and without seeking prior approval from the police or the local authority."