A NEWPORT police boss hit back at the press, including the Argus, over coverage of the withdrawal of the Mosquito anti-yob device.

As we reported, Newport Community Safety Partnership stopped using the device at the Spar in Caerleon Road, fearing it could breach the human rights of yobs, despite cutting anti-social behaviour by 84 per cent. The Mosquito is designed to disperse gangs of youths by emitting an irritating noise only young people can hear.

But the partnership said it will not use the device again until human rights and health and safety issues are resolved.

Inspector Simon Jeffries, of Gwent police's crime and disorder unit, said the press coverage portrayed the partnership as being "obsessed with political correctness and human rights legislation".

In a letter published in today's Argus, Insp Jeffries said: "From the outset this was a time-limited police trial to evaluate the effectiveness of what is a new device." He said safety aspects needed to be considered and an evaluation of the device was under way.

"Public comment that this device has been 'banned' by the partnership is clearly factually inaccurate and somewhat premature," he said.

A spokesman for the community partnership said no decision about the future use of the Mosquito has been made.

"There have been discussions locally and nationally on the legality of a device which does not distinguish between those causing nuisance or anti-social behaviour and those who do not.

"Until the issues which surround its indiscriminate nature and also environmental impact are resolved, we have asked that the device is not used."

Insp Jeffries said the partnership is still committed to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour to make Newport a safer city.

He said so far this year the partnership has reduced anti-social crime by 9.3 per cent, meaning 940 fewer victims.

Recorded crime in Newport is also down eight per cent. He said: "Much significant and pro-active work has gone into achieving these results for the communities of Newport and the Mosquito trial is just one small element of our overall approach."