'mosquito' devices

Retailers are entitled to use 'mosquito' devices to disperse unwanted gangs of disruptive teenagers from hanging around their shops, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The sonic gadget emits a high-pitched noise that only those aged under 25 can hear. The trade association said that violent crime against retail staff had gone up by 50% last year, and threats of violence had more than doubled. "Staff constantly feel threatened by teenage gangs and it should be within their right to use the device," said a BRC spokesman.

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