'Mosquito' driving away youth gangs
SHOPKEEPERS in Leyland have hailed the success of a high-tech 'Mosquito' in tackling gangs of youths that hang around.

The Mosquito device, a small box that emits a high-pitched buzzing noise that is only audible to younger ears, has been installed above shops in Broadfield and Moss Side in an attempt to discourage anti-social behaviour.

James Crossley, owner of Bannister Stores, on Bannister Drive, trialled the device at his shop which is a favourite gathering place for youths.

He said: "They spend all their time annoying me so it's nice to annoy them for a change.
"It worked well during the trial period and in the 10 days since it's been in place we've not had to get the police out.

"We've had countless problems in Leyland over the last few months, with graffiti and damage a few weeks ago, progressing to a burglary in one of the flats above our shop."

Mr Crossley, 28, who also owns other off-licences in Bamber Bridge and Lancaster, said on the occasions when the Mosquito has been used, the groups of youths, aged 16 and under, have quickly moved on.

"The ones I've spoken to say it's like a constant irritating buzzing in their ear and they don't stick around for long.

"It is an effective tool in moving them on, but then where do they go? To some other unfortunate retailer.

"Every little helps and although it won't solve all the problems, it is another tool against anti-social behaviour."

PCSO for Broadfield, Ruth Carr said that the response from residents in the Bannister Drive area has been good: "It is as a result of the amount of nuisance calls in the area which have been going on for years. The peak time is between 7pm and 9pm but when we turn the Mosquito on, the groups seem to disperse.

"It is a very high pitched noise but there are no long-term effects."

The only other Mosquito in Leyland is above the Co-op in Moss Side and manager Wendy Mitchell said it had an immediate impact: "It had that much of an effect that on the first day we switched it on, they climbed up the drain pipe and ripped the wires out!" she said.
"Since then we have had it fixed, broken, fixed again and now it's broken. This time, it will be replaced so that it can't be damaged again."

Author -
Publication Leyland Today
Date 25 October 2006
Link www.leylandtoday.co.uk