Rights row over sonic deterrent for teenagers

The anti-teen alarms emit an irritating high-pitched sound that can only be heard by people under 25 and there have been calls to have them banned.

However ministers at the Scottish Government claim they do not have the power to prohibit the sale of these "mosquito alarms", prompting criticism from the Council of Europe.

The Council claims the device "treats young people as if they're unwanted pests", and is calling on all parliaments to outlaw it.

Human rights groups and youth organisations have also been lobbying ministers, saying they have to act to ban the alarm.

Isabella Sankey, director of the independent human rights organisation Liberty, said: "The mosquito is an unregulated, untested sonic weapon that causes blanket discomfort to all young people including babies."

A spokesman for the Scottish Youth Parliament said: "We think that mosquito devices cause harm to young people and should be banned."

However Si Morris, commercial director of Compound Security Systems the firm behind the device - said: "There are claims it can damage hearing, harm unborn babies and works by being loud and painful. These are absolute rubbish."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Local agencies are best placed to decide detailed strategy

"The power to bring in a nationwide ban on the selling of this device lies with the UK government."