By Chris Cox

A supermarket on London Road, Brighton, is using a controversial device in an attempt to discourage groups of youths from loitering outside the store.

The Mosquito alarm, which emits a high-frequency sound that is normally only heard by those aged under 25, is installed outside Aldi at the south end of the road.

London Road has a reputation as a problem area in the city and is regularly patrolled by police during the day and the evening.

The device is active during the day and, with a range of 43m, can be heard from across the street. It is switched off at night.

A freedom of information request shows Aldi has reported 15 incidents to the police of antisocial behaviour taking place outside the store since 2010.

The complaints include nine incidences of "inconsiderate rowdy nuisance" and one complaint of street drinking. Nine of the complaints were made in 2011 and five in 2012.

Aldi did not confirm when the device was installed but it is known to have been in place since at least September 2012.

Inspector Gareth Davies of Sussex Police said: "The south end of the road has always been a favourite with the street drinking community and the fast food outlets in that locality mean that young persons do gather in the evening.

“However, officers are working closely with the LAT (Local Action Team) which is made up of residents, local councilors and police in order to address the concerns and take direct action."

'Demonising children'

The Mosquito has attracted controversy in the past with critics claiming it "demonises children" and is an infringement of their human rights.

Dan Gardener, 24, who works near London Road, says Aldi’s deployment of the device is excessive and that he tries to avoid the area because of its presence.

He said: “The sound is really irritating. I don’t know why it’s there; it’s annoying and unnecessary. It’s definitely effective but for where it’s positioned it’s over the top – it’s right next to a busy road that can take some time to get across.

“I haven’t seen groups loiter there, it seems like a bit of a weird place to hang around.”

'Sonic weapon'

In 2010 the culture, science and education committee of the Council of Europe published a report calling for the banning of the device across all member states saying it was "neither politically acceptable nor consistent with the safeguard of fundamental human rights which the use of 'Mosquito' devices clearly infringes".

Human rights campaign group Liberty has described the device as "a sonic weapon" and, joined by the Children’s Commissioner for England, have been backing the National Youth Agency-led Buzz Off campaign to stop use of The Mosquito since 2008.

Liberty director Shami Chakrabarti has previously criticised the Mosquito as discriminatory against children.

She said: “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 instil them with dignity and respect.”

Community safety

Although legislation banning the alarms has not been passed, several councils across Britain have taken matters into their own hands: In Edinburgh, Sheffield and Kent, usage of the device is prohibited on all council-owned buildings.

Tim Nichols, head of regulatory services, environmental health and licensing at Brighton and Hove council, said: “These devices are not illegal and local councils have no power to regulate their use.

“Community safety is protected locally by Sussex Police in partnership with the Council. Public services would have no need for Mosquito alarms but neither do they have power to regulate use by local businesses.”

While prolonged exposure to high frequency sounds is known to be able to cause nausea, dizziness and headaches, research by the Health and Safety Executive into the effects of the alarms have found no links to human health.

Ultrasound, high frequency sound above the human hearing threshold, can be used therapeutically to treat conditions such as muscle strains.

An Aldi spokesperson said: “In line with a number of other national retailers, Aldi occasionally use Mosquito alarms on our premises.

“These alarms are in place to prevent antisocial behaviour taking place near the store, prevent damage to the building and promote a safe shopping and working environment for customers and staff.”

The Mosquito

• Invented by Welshman Howard Stapleton in 2005 after his daughter was harassed by teenagers when on her way to buy milk
• Inspired by the irritation while growing up of high-frequency noise from a nearby factory
• Marketed in France under the name ‘Beethoven’, after the famously deaf composer.
• Relies on the natural age-related decline in the ability to hear high-frequency sounds – a phenomenon known as presbycusis
• The same phenomenon has been exploited to create the ‘Teen Buzz’ mobile phone ringtone, which is used by students to hear their phone ringing while going undetected by teachers
• Also used to create a dance song with two melodies, one of which is in normal range and one of which is high-frequency, calling ‘Buzzin’.