Scottish National Party MSP Bill Kidd has today (Tuesday) welcomed comments by Superintendent Fiona Barker, of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, at the Equal Opportunities Committee that mosquito devices do not provide a long term solution to anti-social behaviour.

Mr Kidd, an SNP MSP for Glasgow, has raised the issue in Parliament on several occasions and has met with Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing to discuss the issue.

Mosquito devices emit a high frequency sound which can only be heard by people up to the age of 25. The sound is intended to drive away groups of young people from areas such as outside shops. The sound can also be heard by younger children and infants.

Mr Kidd said: "This is a welcome intervention by Superintendent Barker. It may be in a personal capacity but it shows how even those at the senior levels of the police force are rightly concerned about anti-social behaviour but see that the mosquito device is not a solution.

"Instead of tackling the problem this device simply moves it onto another street corner or outside another shop.

"It is indiscriminatory and does not differentiate between young people who are anti-social and the majority of young people who are completely innocent.

"This device is questionable and with online sales there is currently no control over who is using it or where.

"If we want to challenge anti-social behaviour in our communities we need to offer young people alternatives as well as making clear the consequences of their behaviour."

Note:

The following motion was passed at the SNP's Spring Conference on 20th April 2008:

'Mosquito' Device

The SNP calls for a total ban on the use of the 'Mosquito' device being employed as a method to deter young persons from congregating in the close proximity of shops on the basis that it is an infringement on their human rights and is a discriminatory and degrading practice against children and young persons whilst leaving adults unaffected. Such action would address many of the concerns of Police, children's welfare groups, Scotland's commissioner for children and young people, human rights organisations such as Liberty and the Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament.

The SNP calls on all its organisations, branched and members to sign up to the 'Buzz Off' campaign, run by the Children's Commissioner, in opposition to the use of mosquito devices.