A BREACH of children's human rights or an effective way of preventing anti-social behaviour?

These are the two viewpoints in the great Mosquito debate. The Mosquito is a device that emits a high-pitched sound. It exploits the ability of youngsters to hear very high frequencies and is used to disperse young people, particularly from places such as shopping centres.

Yesterday the Children's Commissioner for England, Sir Al Aynsley-Green, joined civil liberties campaigners in calling for a ban on the device. Worcestershire's Labour leader John Buckley has backed his stance.

Councillor Buckley says using the Mosquito is akin to treating children like animals.

Yet the owner of a chip shop in Worcester that uses the device is full of praise for it. Luca Gabriel says it has helped his shop deal with "desperate problems" caused by young people.

So whose side are you on? Both sides appear to have valid arguments. Our view is that the Mosquito is a particularly blunt instrument - but that is what desperate people tend to use.

The Mosquito is a perfectly legal device. We have no problem with it being used where necessary.

We would question, however, the role of parents. If children are causing trouble - and it is only a minority of youngsters who behave in this way - we would suggest their parents need to be taking more responsibility for their offspring.

The more often that happens, the fewer reasons there will be for devices like the Mosquito.

  • What do you think? Discuss the Mosquito and its pros and cons in our Your Say section here.