Campaigners’ delight as ‘mosquito’ alarms removed

● Council to take down devices that targeted teenagers

Alarms that target under-25s have been outlawed in Perth and Kinross after pressure from young politicians.

It follows claims that the high-pitch noise the “mosquito” alarms emit induces nausea, dizziness and pain in children.

Perth and Kinross Council has promised to remove the devices from schools across the region.

The boxes were fitted in an effort to disperse loitering teenage gangs, after complaints from residents.

The machines emit an annoying beeping noise which can only be heard by people under 25.

Now Perth and Kinross Council has agreed to take down all boxes at eight schools, just weeks after the youth parliament’s campaign.

Young parliamentarians welcomed the move and claimed it as an early victory in 2018, setting the tone for Scotland’s Year of Young People.

Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament argued that the boxes were discriminato- ry and contravened children’s rights.

Earlier this month, Perth and Kinross Council confirmed it had eight devices at schools, but declined to say where they were.

It is understood one was fitted at Luncarty Primary after complaints about teenagers hanging around the building after dark.

A council spokesman said: “I can confirm the council has decided to remove all mosquito devices from school buildings in the area following a review.”

The news was welcomed by campaigners.

Fraser Macdonald, a youth parliament member for Perth- shire South, said: “This is definitely welcome news. It is the first step to getting rid of all of these devices and the Scottish Youth Parliament is very pleased the council have committed to doing this.

“With that being said, these devices are still in use in other areas such as train stations, high streets and in some shops.

“The Scottish Youth Parliament hopes that all the mosquito devices are removed from every public space, including shops, not just schools.”

Mosquito devices work at a frequency of 16.5khz, which most people have lost the ability to hear by the age of 25.