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It's called a mosquito
Young people who loiter in public places are often regarded as a nuisance. But in Britain, shopkeepers have sparked outrage with their new approach to repelling problem teenagers.
They are using a device known as the 'Mosquito', which emits an irritating, high-pitched sound that can only be picked up by children and people in their early 20s.
Young people have complained that it hurts their ears.
And while one Sydney council says it would be interested in trying out the Mosquito method, human rights groups say it is inhumane.
Children's Commissioner for England Sir Albert Aynsley-Green says it is time to put an end to the practice and has got behind a campaign called 'Buzz Off' to get the Mosquito banned.
"It's indiscriminate - babies, children, toddlers, autistic children, disabled children will hear this," he said.
"It's not addressing the root cause of the problem."
Howard Stapleton from the company Compound Security Systems invented the device. He rejects the criticism of it.
"What about our human rights? What about human rights for the shopkeeper and the general public?," he said.
They are using a device known as the 'Mosquito', which emits an irritating, high-pitched sound that can only be picked up by children and people in their early 20s.
Young people have complained that it hurts their ears.
And while one Sydney council says it would be interested in trying out the Mosquito method, human rights groups say it is inhumane.
Children's Commissioner for England Sir Albert Aynsley-Green says it is time to put an end to the practice and has got behind a campaign called 'Buzz Off' to get the Mosquito banned.
"It's indiscriminate - babies, children, toddlers, autistic children, disabled children will hear this," he said.
"It's not addressing the root cause of the problem."
Howard Stapleton from the company Compound Security Systems invented the device. He rejects the criticism of it.
"What about our human rights? What about human rights for the shopkeeper and the general public?," he said.
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