Mosquito zappers banned after failing to stop ‘war zones’ at Scottish train stations
Scotland’s national rail operator has banned the use of controversial anti-loitering devices at train stations across the network after they were condemned by the Children’s Commissioner.
Scotrail said it had undertaken a “thorough review” of the use of mosquito devices, which emit a high-frequency sound normally only audible to under-25s.
The review found that mosquito devices, which were placed in three train stations around Scotland, were rarely used and did not help to reduce antisocial behaviour without other support. The devices were installed at Hamilton Central and Helensburgh Central in response to reports of threatening behaviour, with the aim of dispersing groups of youths. One had also been installed in Aberdeen.
The RMT union claimed Hamilton station was being turned into a “war zone” by gangs of “headbangers and nutters” who were compromising the safety of staff.
Christina Mckelvie, SNP MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, welcomed the “blanket ban”.