Is the Mosquito Alarm an Infringement on Human Rights?

What is the Mosquito Alarm?

The Mosquito alarm is an electronic device that produces a high pitched sound intended to discourage young people from gathering in certain areas. It was invented in Wales and has been sold commercially since 2005, marketed primarily as a tool to reduce antisocial behaviour.

The device works by emitting a tone at a frequency that most people under 25 can hear clearly, while older adults typically cannot detect it. This difference exists because humans naturally lose the ability to hear higher frequencies as they age, a condition known as presbycusis.

According to the manufacturers, the sound is not physically harmful but is designed to be annoying enough that younger people will choose to leave the area within a few minutes. The reported range extends between 30 and 40 metres in typical conditions, though actual effectiveness varies depending on environmental factors. The sound does not pass through solid walls or barriers.

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Where These Devices Are Used

Mosquito alarms have been installed in various locations across the UK since their introduction. Common sites include:

• Shop entrances and retail parks
• Underground walkways and subways
• Car parks
• Train and bus stations
• Residential areas where antisocial behaviour has been reported

Both private property owners and some local authorities have purchased these devices. Certain police forces have also used them in partnership with local councils, though such deployments have attracted local controversy and remain far from standard practice across the country.

The standard setting targets the under 25 age group specifically. Some models include an alternative setting that produces a lower frequency audible to people of all ages, though this option is less commonly used. The broader setting is sometimes deployed where the perceived problem involves adults as well as younger people.

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Human Rights and Discrimination Concerns

The Mosquito alarm has faced sustained criticism from human rights organisations, children's charities and civil liberties groups. The core objection centres on age discrimination: the device deliberately targets people based on their age rather than their behaviour.

Liberty, the UK civil liberties organisation, has campaigned against the devices for many years. They argue that using a sound weapon against young people simply for being present in a public space treats an entire age group as inherently problematic. A teenager walking past a shop to catch a bus would be affected just as much as someone actually causing trouble.

The Children's Commissioner for England has previously called for Mosquito alarms to be banned, describing them as indiscriminate and demeaning to young people. Similar concerns have been raised by the former Children's Commissioner for Wales and by youth advocacy organisations across the UK.

Under the Equality Act 2010, age is a protected characteristic, which means treating someone less favourably because of their age can constitute unlawful discrimination in certain contexts. The Act applies primarily to employment, education and the provision of services. Whether using a Mosquito alarm on private property falls within these provisions remains unsettled and likely depends on specific circumstances. Those facing such situations should consider seeking legal advice.

The European Convention on Human Rights, incorporated into UK law through the Human Rights Act 1998, includes protections that some argue are relevant here. Article 8 protects the right to respect for private life, while Article 14 prohibits discrimination in the enjoyment of Convention rights. The applicability of these provisions to Mosquito alarms remains contentious and has not been definitively tested in UK courts.

The Current Legal Position

Currently, no UK law prohibits the use of Mosquito alarms. They remain legal to purchase and install on private property, and some local authorities continue to use them.

Several councils have chosen to remove existing devices or have adopted policies against installing new ones. This has often followed local campaigns by residents or pressure from youth groups. The decision tends to rest with individual local authorities rather than following any national directive.

Some campaigners have called for Parliament to introduce legislation banning the devices entirely. To date, this has not happened, though the issue has been raised in parliamentary debates and written questions over the years.

Those concerned about inappropriate Mosquito alarm usage should consider contacting their local council or advocacy groups such as Liberty for guidance. The Equality and Human Rights Commission may also be able to provide information about whether a particular use could constitute discrimination.

For general information about your rights under equality law, the Equality and Human Rights Commission website offers guidance on discrimination complaints and how to raise concerns. GOV.UK provides explanations of the Equality Act 2010, including which situations and settings the law covers.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Discrimination Claim Eligibility Checker lets you determines if your situation meets legal criteria for a discrimination claim under UK law. Try it now →