MSPs to hear calls to ban use of mosquito devices

Mosquito devices which emit a sound only young people can hear should be banned in Scotland, according to members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs).

The devices are used in order to deter anti-social behaviour and have been deployed in a range of locations, including some train stations.

However, MSYPs say the devices violate the rights of children and young people.

A petition calling for a ban was published in January, with 725 young people asked for their experience of the devices.

The majority of the respondents (85%) reported having never encountered a mosquito device.

Of the 105 respondents who had encountered a device (15%), the majority had seen or heard one multiple times (83%).

A total of 41% of respondents said they had experienced health effects or discomfort from the devices.

The Public Petitions Committee will hold an evidence session on Thursday with Kit McCarthy MSYP on the issue.

A petition was previously launched in 2010, although the Scottish Government said there was “little indication that there is a widespread problem through use of the device and there do not appear to be any identified long-term health risks”.

Ministers also said it would be difficult to justify a legislative solution.