Ban on anti-loitering devices considered.

Fife councillor claims devices are indiscriminate and have negative sideeffects on those who can hear them

A ban on controversial devices designed to deter young people from gathering in certain areas is to be considered by councillors this week.

Fife Council’s education and children’s services spokeswoman Councillor Fay Sinclair is calling on the local authority to prohibit the use of anti-loitering “mosquito” systems on council-owned land or property.

The devices, which emit a high-pitch noise designed to be heard only by those under the age of 25, have previously been thought of as an effective tactic in the fight against anti-social behaviour.

But Ms Sinclair has tabled a motion to tomorrow’s Fife Council meeting urging colleagues to back an outright ban, pointing out that the machines can induce nausea, dizziness and pain as well as affecting a child’s sense of balance.

She said: “These devices are designed to prevent anti-social behaviour, but they are indiscriminate and have negative effects on all those who can hear the irritating and often unbearable noise they emit, particularly babies and people with autism.”

As education convener, Ms Sinclair said she had been particularly shocked that the devices had previously been installed at two schools in Fife and had been programmed to operate continuously outwith school hours.

The Scottish Youth Parliament is campaigning for a national ban on the devices and this week’s motion has been supported by North East Fife Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament Kit McCarthy.

He said: “Mosquito devices are not only a grave violation of young people’s rights, but are an absurd way of tackling anti-social behaviour that serve only to cause resentment and tension.”

The Scottish Government has said it is “not unsympathetic” to a ban on mosquito devices, but stressed there are no reliable figures on how widespread or otherwise their use is in Scotland.

Community safety and legal affairs minister Annabelle Ewing said any legislation banning the devices would have to be “justified as a proportionate response”.

A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said the council’s property services team were aware of eight devices installed on school premises

The devices have never been used on any council buildings in Dundee.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Angus Council said: “Mosquito devices were considered and discounted about 10 years ago by the Community Safety Partnership in Angus as one way of tackling anti-social behaviour.”

Mosquito devices are not only a grave violation of young people’s rights, but are an absurd way of tackling anti-social behaviour... KIT MCCARTHY NORTH EAST FIFE MSYP

The mosquito device emits an unpleasant high-frequency noise that can only be heard by people under the age of 25.