Go-ahead for Mosquito noise devices on Fairfield High School's vandal-hit pitches
A security device which emits an irritating sound that can only be heard by people under 25 will be installed around sports pitches at Fairfield High School to stop vandalism.
Plans to fit the Mosquito security device on fences around the pitches off Muller Road were unanimously passed by a Bristol City Council planning committee yesterday.
The school lodged the application to install the device as a 'last resort', saying the pitches were regularly being broken into by gangs of up to 100 teenagers.
However, there were 17 objections to the plans from residents and councillors, who were worried about the effect the devices might have on wildlife and pedestrians using the footpath near the pitches.
The mosquito devices will be mounted on 23 posts dotted around the pitches, with each one 4.5m (15ft) high.
Pete Tiley, who lives in Boiling Wells Lane, said: "They will have spent £82,000 trying to secure these pitches by the time these devices are installed. You could employ a youth worker for three years with that money, who could go out into the community to speak to the people responsible for trespassing.
"I expect the devices themselves will be vandalised as soon as they are installed. "
Sound producer and musician Chris Powell, who lives in nearby Elmcroft Crescent, is worried what impact they might have on his one-year-old daughter Capella.
He said: "There's been no research carried out into the effect these things have on children. The effect is unknown. They should be prohibited until they have been proved to be safe."
The school said the devices would be directed inwards onto the pitches and the noise will only be heard by trespassers. Makers of the Mosquito say the device is safe and has been a success elsewhere in Bristol.The Government-appointed Children's Commissioner has said he wants the device banned.
Comments
by ian, watford
Sunday, June 14 2009, 12:37PM
“ian whiteway June 9, 2009 at 6:58 am
My job as an Anti Social Behaviour Reduction Officer sees me looking on a daily basis at anything that can ¿do exactly as it says on the tin¿ ¿Mosquito¿ has been badged as a revolutionary new device that has been specifically designed to disperse groups of teenagers from loitering in areas that they are not wanted. With an effective range of between fifteen and twenty meters, the field trials have shown that teenagers are acutely aware of the Mosquito and usually move away from the area within just a couple of minutes. I looked into this great idea for an instant cure for a ¿youth anti social issue¿ It seems that there is a medical phenomenon known as presbycusis or age related hearing loss which, is the loss of hearing that gradually occurs in most individuals as they grow older. Hearing loss is a common disorder associated with ageing. About 30-35 percent of adults between the ages of 65 and 75 years have a hearing loss. It is estimated that 40-50 percent of people 75 and older have a hearing loss. According to The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, this begins after the age of 20 but is usually significant only in persons over 65. It first affects the highest frequencies (18 to 20 kHz) notably in those who have turned 20 years of age. It is possible to generate this high frequency sound that is audible only to teenagers. The Mosquito is essentially a sounder unit that emits a very high (ultra-sonic). The longer someone is exposed to the sound, the more annoying it becomes. Teenagers are acutely aware of the Mosquito and usually move away from the area within just a couple of minutes. Sainsburys are amongst Several big retail companies actively using the device and somerfield too are contemplating following. But the Anti social youth make up 1.3 % of the youth population so is this unit blanketing and tarring all youth with the same brush. What about the young mum on her way into the shops to get a pint of milk, The law abiding trainee mechanic and the two college students aren¿t all these affected too. I think it is established that this measure is effective but does it breach Human rights. Does this justify the use of such a tool and will it not just move the problem small percentage of youth into the dark alley where they can cause more alarm to the public. Should these companies not be looking at community unification and working with police and local communities in trying to find alternative places and funding for youth projects. Its well known that these companies thrive well in the communities where their shops are situated. I wont be advising anyone to purchase one of these and will be watching closely to see if a young person will be challenging the human rights issue. Ian Whiteway”