VANDALS intent on causing damage to a
church will be sent packing with more than
a flea in their ear.
A vicar has taken the step of using controversial
technology to deter youngsters
from using the church for anti-social behaviour.
The Reverend David Lambert, vicar of St
Mark's Church at Marske, east Cleveland,
and his parishioners were experiencing regular
problems with youths gathering in the
church porch, drinking alcohol and causing
damage.
To overcome the problem, the church has
installed a sonic Mosquito device, which
emits a high-pitched whine that can only be
heard by people aged up to their early 20s.
Mr Lambert said: "It has been very successful
so far in a period of about a month. It
is quite an unpleasant noise, but does not
cause any permanent harm.
"Most adults cannot hear it at all, although
our own youngsters attending church can
- they know that they have to get past it
quickly.
advertisement
"We have it on from around 5pm to 11pm in
the evenings and there has already been a
significant improvement in trouble.
"However, it will be around three months
before we know if it is a complete success."
The device has proved successful in many
areas, but has come in for criticism from the
Government's children's commissioner.
Last month, Sir Albert Aynsley-Green,
who was appointed to represent the views of
the country's 11 million children, set up a
campaign calling for the devices to be banned
on the grounds that it infringes the rights of
young people.
However, Mr Lambert believes installing in
a church porch is different to a shopping parade
or public area.
He said: "The Mosquito does not stop trouble,
but it seems to be very successful in keeping
it away from our church from a specific
area like the church porch.
"It is not in a place which is a public thoroughfare.
I can see the argument for not having
it outside shops.
"I cannot hear it myself, but anyone who
can hear it in the porch at night should not
be there."
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
Print
Email this
Comment
