Antisocial behaviour deterrent devices which have been claimed to “leave children rocking in pain” have been banned by Sefton Council.
Mosquito devices emit a high pitch noise designed to be heard only by those under the age of 25, and are designed to prevent anti-social behaviour from young people.
Labour councillor Diane Roscoe called for the devices to be banned at Sefton’s full council meeting on Thursday, arguing they are discriminatory, breach human rights and can affect health.
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The alarms have been used in a range of locations nationally, including some shops and train stations.
Cllr Roscoe said: “These devices cause extreme discomfort to young people, especially babies, and children with autism.
“Often caregivers cannot hear the sound and have no idea as to why their child is acting so distressed.
“Not only this, [Mosquitoes] don’t solve the problem, it just moves any troublemakers down the road.
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“It affects law abiding children in the same way as those who are committing offences, and assumes young people will behave badly, which is degrading and discriminatory.”
Councillor Paula Spencer said she is a mum of two young children with autism, both of whom have been negatively impacted by such devices.
Cllr Spencer said: “There are certain shops we can’t go into because, as much as I can’t hear the noise, they can.
“And it’s not like it just annoys them. It causes physical pain. My children are rocking in pain.”
The motion was unanimously agreed upon at the meeting, meaning the use of such devices on council-owned property and open spaces has been banned.
Cllr Roscoe added: “I am not trying to play down antisocial behaviour at all, but if somebody made a device that affected people with certain characteristics based on race, religion, gender, ability, from going into a public space there would be an outcry.”
