A letter from Howard Stapleton

Dear Sir,

My name is Howard Stapleton. I am the inventor of the Mosquito. The main drive behind my invention was that my 15-year-old daughter was unable to enter our local shop owing to a gang of badly behaved teenagers loitering in the doorway and making a nuisance of themselves. As I discovered later, and sales of my device have proved, this was not an isolated case. Can the Members of the European Parliament who are campaigning to ban my device offer an alternative so that the blight of anti social teenage behaviour can otherwise be resolved without involving millions of Euros?

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of law-abiding voters who are having their quality of life severely diminished and could well benefit from the Mosquito. Further I have numerous “blue chip” customers who have found the product invaluable in protecting their businesses or property. Also numerous Police forces are delighted as it has dramatically reduced the call outs to trouble spots saving thousands daily. It occurs to me that the M.E.P.s who are seeking the ban have not asked their views. I agree that the use of the Mosquito should be legislated so that it is used appropriately in combating anti social behaviour and not as a device to make no go areas for kids.

May I emphasise that the Mosquito runs at a volume which opinion from respected audiologists states there is no likelihood of damage to hearing. It might be of interest to know that a baby’s rattle is louder! Its not the frequency of a noise that causes damage it’s the volume. I can see a very busy Parliament if the Mosquito is banned due to concerns with regard to potential health risks as all of the following are louder than the Mosquito: – traffic noise, aircraft noise, Police sirens and even a classical orchestra! The Mosquito works because the noise it makes is annoying not loud.

Finally I find it extraordinary that an inexpensive solution to a serious problem is at risk of being cast aside for what I can only assume are political motives. Every time I have been interviewed on radio or T.V. where members of the public have been asked their view more than 70 per cent were in favour. Many went on to suggest the Civil Liberties campaigner or the M.P.s who wanted to ban the Mosquito come and live at their address. They would then get a taste of what it was like to visit local shops or children’s play areas trying to avoid often drunken and abusive teenagers. They want our streets returned to law-abiding citizens and will support anyone who can help.

Finally a call to the M.E.P.s who are concerned: why not ask for a demonstration before criticising the one simple device that can give their voters back the right to a peaceful stress free life.