Groups seek ban on anti-loiter noise maker

LONDON, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Human rights groups in England say a high-pitched noise generator used to shoo away young loiterers infringes on their rights.

Sky News said Tuesday that a campaign has been launched to ban the use of the "Mosquito," which emits an annoying sound audible only to people younger than 20-something.

"These devices are indiscriminate and target all children and young people, including babies, regardless of whether they are behaving or misbehaving," said Rob Williams of the Office of the Children's Commission.

The Mosquito's whine can't be heard as people age and pass into their 20s, making the device attractive to merchants who have had trouble with teenage gangs hanging around outside their establishments.

The Children's Commission maintains that teens have a right to hang around with friends on a public sidewalk; however, Howard Stapleton, the inventor of the Mosquito, told Sky News that shopkeepers have a right not to have their business ruined by unruly loiterers.