'Sorry, You Can't Keep the Yobs Away. It Is Against Their Human Rights...'

Summary

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A pioneering device to drive away gangs of anti-social youths has been silenced because it might breach the human rights of the youngsters hanging around shops. The Mosquito, invented by Merthyr Tydfil-born Howard Stapleton, has been hailed as a breakthrough in the war on young louts who hang around shopping centres and train stations. It sends out a high-pitched irritating noise audible only to young people - and boasts a proven record in reducing anti- social behaviour. But now the Spar store in Caerleon Road, Newport, has been ordered by council officials to shut off the Mosquito fixed high on its wall - because of human rights laws.

And today, the Barry shop manager who was the first in South Wales to install the device said he would 'fight tooth and nail' to keep the device at his Spar store in Barry Road. Robert Gough said: 'It is an absurd decision. What about shoppers who have the human right to shop in peace and safety? And what about the human rights of my staff who want to work without fear of attack or intimidation? Reported crime in my shop has gone down by 83 per cent since the device was introduced last September.'

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Extract

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'Sorry, You Can't Keep the Yobs Away. It Is Against Their Human Rights...'

The Spar store in Caerleon Road, Newport, saw...

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