Police defend use of anti-yob sound device

One of the mosquito machines has been used around the Durban Road industrial estate in Bognor Regis after yobs caused criminal damage to its buildings.

The boxes emit a harmless ultrasonic tone that can only be heard by people under-25. The noise is similar to a mosquito buzzing.

But the deployment of the equipment at vandalism hotspots has proved unpopular among some young people.

This led Arun Youth Council's members to want to know more about their use.

Justification for putting in the devices was given to them by Chief Inspector Brian Bracher, in charge of policing in the West Downs division, and Arun District Council's community safety manager, Georgina Holland.

Youth council chairman Simon Filler (18) said: 'Thank you to Ch Insp Bracher and Georgina Holland for coming to the meeting and talking to us about the mosquito devices.

'They are controversial as far as young people are concerned and it was very useful for them to come along and answer the questions that were put to them.'

The meeting was the youth council's final session before the summer break. It was also a farewell for St Philip Howard Catholic High School pupil Simon after being a member for five years.

'It has been a pleasure to be part of this youth council and I have got so much out of it. We have a lot of support here in Arun and the youth council is well respected across West Sussex.

'I hope it goes from strength to strength in championing the voices of young people in the district and making sure they are part of the decision making process,' he said.

Other issues discussed at the meeting were a recycling awareness campaign and a junior citizenship event next month.

The youth council's new chairman is 17-year-old Rob Peters, of Littlehampton Sixth Form College. His vice chairman is Bognor Regis Community College student Matt Hoff (16).