Mosquito alarm keeps youths out of trouble
A BEEPING device is deterring youths from causing a nuisance at Dalton Leisure Centre.

The Mosquito alarm, attached to the outside of the building, emits a high-pitched piercing noise which only youngsters can detect.

It has been in place at the centre for nine months to stop youths hanging around the entrance of the centre during closing hours.

There has also been an extra CCTV camera installed.

One boy became so frustrated by the sound that he caused damage to it. The device has since been placed in a protective cage.

Dalton police sergeant Stuart Flett said: “The reason he gave for damaging it was it was driving him nutty.

“But the device has been pretty effective.

“It has stopped youths gathering and they keep themselves away from the entrance.”

Dalton Leisure Centre manager Bernard McPeake said it was the centre’s decision to install the device.

He said: “The device is effective.

“The actual problem has virtually been eradicated.

“You still get half a dozen girls who keep coming in and running about and it causes problems. There was one youth who did attack it around five months ago but he was caught on CCTV doing it.”

Author -
Publication North West Evening Mail
Date 07 November 2006
Link www.nwemail.co.uk