During the last two years, use of the device is said to have reduced cases of anti social behaviour by 45 per cent.
The Mosquito produces a high frequency (16-20kHz) pulsating sound that is, in practice, audible only by youths. The sound pressure changes according to how close it is to the subject.
The device won the Police Security Product Award in the Merseyside Police Innovations Awards.
As well as the static version, the ‘mobile Mosquito’ was used by the winning team, Liverpool South Area.
The vehicle, also equipped with CCTV, was used to disperse groups of youths causing problems in areas where permanent security is difficult to install.
The Mosquito is activated and deactivated by a passing patrol car using a key fob.
Piloted by the Citysafe crime and disorder reduction partnership, and other Liverpool South partners, the winning entry was carried out by officers from Speke, Cressington and Garston.
They included Inspector Ian Mason, Sergeant Alan Thompson and Constables Andrew McNamee and Phil Hankin and Constable Ian Thompson from Citysafe.
Other entries to reduce crime and anti social behaviour ranged from spy drones and CCTV hidden in car seats to programmes using diversionary tactics.
Said Si Morris, commercial director of inventors, Compound Security Systems: “The product has it opponents, but this award demonstrates that used correctly and with a strict police protocol, the device can save hundreds of thousands of pounds of public funds each year and make a valuable contribution to making certain areas safer for members of the public.”.
