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  • HELP US STAMP OUT THE MOSQUITO

  • BUZZ OFF Campaign Logo

    Liberty is part of the BUZZ OFF campaign

  • The Mosquito Device

    Mosquito Device

    What is the Mosquito?


    Using technology originally designed to scare away vermin, the ‘Mosquito’ is a device that emits a very high frequency buzzing sound which cannot be heard by people over the age of 25.

    This degrading and 
    discriminatory device is now being used to deter young people from particular areas, with a sound that is described as “distressing” and “unbearable”. There are estimated to be 3,500 such ultra-
    sonic dispersal devices in use
    across the country.

    Why is the Mosquito a problem?


    We are concerned that:

    - The device will affect all young people, not target those who are  misbehaving.
     
    - It targets only young people when problems may also be caused by adults.
     
    - It exposes young people to extreme discomfort as if they were worth no more than a garden pest. 

    This is not a proportionate response to loiterers and could adversely affect young people. We believe that the Mosquito does not encourage young people to act responsibly instead it simply presumes that they will not.

    Find out more about the Mosquito and human rights.

    Shami Chakrabarti, Liberty's Director, said:

    “What type of society uses a low-level sonic weapon on its children?Imagine the outcry if a device was introduced that caused blanket discomfort to people of one race or gender, rather than to our kids.

    The Mosquito has no place in a country that values its children and seeks to instill them with dignity and respect.”

    Have you seen a Mosquito?


    If you are able to give us any more information on the location and operation of these Mosquito devices, and particularly if you know anyone who has experienced the effects of the Mosquito, please contact us using our online form or call us 020 7403 3888.

  • MOSQUITO CAMPAIGN NEWS

    • Plymouth Council to investigate Mosquito

    • Council leader Vivien Pengelly told a meeting of the full council yesterday that a special panel would be set up to study the “Mosquito” devices, after campaigning by local schoolchildren.
    • 29.07.2008

    • Edinburgh County Council also bans Mosquito

    • Edinburgh County Council has followed Kent in banning use of the Mosquito device on Council property. Councillor Beckett, the SNP representative for Edinburgh city centre, said that "While antisocial behaviour from youths is a real concern in some areas, to use such an indiscriminate approach to tackle this problem really is an example of using a sledgehammer to crack a nut."

      The decision to ban the device has been welcomed by the Scottish Parliament, and Scotland's Children's Commissioner, Kathleen Marshall, recently called for a nationwide ban.
    • 23.06.2008

    • Europe debates the Mosquito

    • The message is now getting out on an even larger scale: Liberty Council Member Sarah Ludford MEP launched a campaign against the Mosquito in the European Parliament in May. The issue was taken up by the European Youth Forum, and it has since been raised at the European Union Youth Council.

    • Kent County Council bans Mosquito

    • Councillors in Kent have approved a ban on installing the Mosquito on their local authority buildings after debating the issue with their youth members. They claimed there was a contradiction in their duty to represent young people and respect their views, and the Council now plans to lobby central Government to press for a nationwide ban. Liberty is hoping that other councils across the country should follow Kent's lead and listen to the many decent young people who are subjected to this offensive sonic weapon.

    • The Guardian: Store drops anti-yob device in autism row

    • Liberty advised Paul Brookfield, aged 19, about the Mosquito device outside his local Co-operative supermarket in Longridge, Lancashire. Paul was particularly concerned about the effect of the Mosquito’s intense high pitched whine on those with disorders on the autistic spectrum – particularly since students from a nearby autistic school were regularly taken past the supermarket.

      Happily the Co-op realized the error of their ways and decided to take down all of the Mosquito devices outside their stores – replacing them with speakers playing classical music. Let’s hope other shop owners take the same positive step!
    • 04.05.2008

    • Liberty helps launch new BUZZ OFF campaign

    • Spearheaded by young people and supported by the 11 Million Campaign, the Children’s Commissioner for England, Liberty, Groundwork and The National Youth Agency, this campaign is calling for the end to the use of all ultra-sonic dispersal devices.

Have you seen the Mosquito in use?

If you or anyone you know has experienced the effects of the Mosquito, please get in touch. You can call us on 020 7403 3888 or send us an email.
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  • BUZZ OFF Campaign

  • The organisation led by the Children’s Commissioner, supports the 11 million children and young people in England to have their voices heard.
  • NYA supports those involved in young people's personal and social development and works to enable all young people to fulfil their potential within a just society.
  • Groundwork are working with young people to improve the Exeter Estate in Corby.
  • If you have a Facebook profile you can join the campaign online.
  • Visit the campaign's site to find out how you can get involved.