The children's commissioner today called for a ban on a controversial audio device which disperses gangs of teenagers, saying it demonises young people and infringes their human rights.
Al Aynsley-Green joined forces with civil liberties campaigners to raise concerns over whether using the Mosquito device is legal and ethical.
The gadget emits a high-pitched sound that only young people under the age of 20 can hear. The ability to pick up very high frequencies declines after this age.
The Mosquito is increasingly being adopted by shopkeepers, local councils and even private homeowners to disperse gangs of young people. Around 3,500 of the devices are believed to be in use in the UK.
However, Aynsley-Green, who was appointed by the government to champion children's rights, says the devices can penalise innocent children.
"These devices are indiscriminate and target all children and young people, including babies, regardless of whether they are behaving or misbehaving," he said.
"The use of measures such as these is simply demonising children and young people, creating a dangerous and widening divide between the young and the old."
Civil rights campaigners say there would be public uproar if the Mosquito was used against other groups in society.
Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty, said: "Imagine the outcry if a device was introduced that caused blanket discomfort to people of one race or gender, rather than to our kids."
Aynsley-Green says he is planning to write to all MPs and local authorities who are using the Mosquito to highlight his concerns. As reported in the Observer, it is believed he is prepared to bring a test case in court if necessary.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: "We want to expose the issue because of what children and young people have been telling us across the country.
"Thousands of them, who are law-abiding children who don't cause anti-social behaviour, are very angry indeed over the fact that these devices are being installed indiscriminately, affecting any young ear - it will affect babies, toddlers, children, disabled children as well as young people."
The Mosquito was invented by a former British Aerospace engineer, Howard Stapleton, after his daughter was intimidated by a gang of boys hanging around outside shops.
Stapleton said he received hundreds of positive reports from police, councils and businesses, but agreed a test case in the courts might be the only way of establishing the Mosquito's legality.
Aynsley-Green is asking anyone who knows where a Mosquito is to contact him so he can create a map of their locations.
Source
So kids, if you're ever being intimidated by a gang of juvenile scumbags, the best way to deal with them is to spontaneously deafen every single child in the area. Including yourself.