EC ruling stirs debate on anti-teenager noise box

The European Commission says it will not ban a sonic device aimed at combating anti-social behaviour in teenagers. The Belgian government had asked for the "Mosquito" to be banned but Brussels ruled it was up to each member state to decide.

The ultra-sonic noise normally can only be heard by young people. The Mosquito is known by different names and is freely available in some EU countries.

It has proved popular with shop owners in places where crowds of unruly adolescents gather. But there have been complaints about the effect on children.

France's Families' minister has called for a wider debate on a device she says is more frequently used against wild animals.

With opinion across the EU divided on the issue and the Commission declining to legislate on it the controversy is set to continue.

EuroNews