DutchNews.nl - Mosquito noise machine 'should be banned'

Mosquito noise machine 'should be banned'

Thursday 11 March 2010

The mosquito, a machine which emits an annoying sound only young people can hear and is used in Holland to discourage youngsters from hanging around on the streets, should be banned, according to the Council of Europe.

The council said use of the machine contravenes human rights and effectively treats youngsters as vermin, news agency AP reported.

In November 2008, home affairs minister Guusje ter Horst warned local councils that use of the mosquito may be unconstitutional.

The Council of Europe has no powers to actually ban use of the machine but is asking local governments to do so.

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Readers' comments

I'm glad this has got some publicity.

These machines don't only punish 'gangs of hoodies' on street corners. It is like continuous torture to ALL children who live in the vicinity. My own child's education suffered terribly - he could not sleep at night because a local shop saw no reason to turn their Mosquito device off when they left the shop, so it was on 24 hours a day. Of course, not enough adults bothered to complain - they could'nt hear it!

By osita | March 11, 2010 3:57 PM

Osita, you should go to the shop and break the speaker of the machine. Your child's well being is more important than their stupid machine.

By Darren | March 12, 2010 8:03 AM

Might I suggest that music by Mozart and Haydn be played over the loudspeakers. It was tried in the States in some cities and worked like a charm in stopping teenagers, and others, from loitering in shopping areas. And it didn't harm anyone's hearing.

By Paula | March 15, 2010 4:54 AM

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