CONTROVERSIAL 'Mosquito' devices are set to stay in south Middleton despite calls for them to be scrapped.

The Children's Commissioner for England has called for a ban on the hi-tech devices - currently in use in Alkrington and Rhodes - which disperse young people by emitting a high-pitched buzzing that can only be heard by people under the age of 25 on the grounds that it infringes their rights.

But Councillor Teresa Fitzsimons, who represents the South Middleton ward and campaigned for the equipment to be installed in Middleton last year, said they were an effective means of stopping anti-social behaviour.

She said: "They are still in use and they are going to stay there until such time as the anti-social behaviour decreases or until such a time that somebody tells us that we are wrong.

"I sympathise with the children who are no trouble but I also sympathise with those people who live around shops that are continually disturbed by the anti-social behaviour of some youngsters. "Those people who are disturbed by anti-social behaviour also have human rights to live in peace. These devices are effective when children need to be dispersed. They can be switched on by a shopkeeper and then switched off again when the groups have moved away. It is not a continued buzzing."

The devices were installed close to shops on Mount Road and Kirkway in Alkrington and also on Chapel Walk in Rhodes in an attempt to alleviate problems with gangs and youth nuisance.

Cllr Fitzsimons said that the devices had been effective "in keeping anti-social behaviour at bay" but stressed that investment was also needed in more facilities for young people in the area branding the delay in building three long- awaited multi-purpose sporting facilities in Middleton as "embarrassing."

She said: "Without providing somewhere for youngsters to occupy themselves in a legitimate healthy manner then we are selling them short."

It is understood that a test case in the courts may be the only way of establishing the Mosquito's legality.

l The Middleton Guardian understands that two mosquito devices in Chapel Walk, Rhodes, have been inoperative for some time - after wires powering it had been cut.

Community Safety Officer Eric Holiday has promised to get the devices working again within 48 hours.

A spokeswoman for Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership said: "We feel totally justified in deploying Mosquito devices to give the community respite in cases of acute anti-social behaviour and youth nuisance. We use the devices when there are large groups of young people making life a problem for residents and businesses. We are very keen not to let problems of anti-social behaviour escalate."

She said two Mosquitoes at the shopping parade in Chapel Walk were fitted after repeated complaints.

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