Sonic gadget to disperse unwanted gangs in shopping centres

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Retailers are entitled to use ‘mosquito’ devices to disperse unwanted gangs of disruptive teenagers from hanging around their shops, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

The sonic gadget emits a high-pitched noise that only those aged under 25 can hear. The trade association said that violent crime against retail staff had gone up by 50% last year, and threats of violence had more than doubled. “Staff constantly feel threatened by teenage gangs and it should be within their right to use the device,” said a BRC spokesman.