Many retailers across the UK suffer from crime and anti-social behaviour perpetrated in and around their store(s). This can often lead to intimidating situations for staff and customers, fear of crime and even have a negative impact upon trade and profits.
Stevenage Borough Council’s Community Safety Team recently identified a particular problem shopping area suffering from anti-social behaviour (mainly rowdy, nuisance or inconsiderate behaviour caused by youths congregating outside shops) and crime (predominantly shop theft and criminal damage). Members of the team duly implemented two crime prevention technologies MosquitoTM and the AlertBox with a view to tackling the anti-social behaviour and crime that occurred there.
Perpetuity Research and Consultancy International (PRCI) was then commissioned to evaluate the impact of the technologies on the anti-social behaviour and crime figures, in addition to exploring their impact upon retailers, customers and members of the general public alike.
The MosquitoTM boxes
Complaints about youths congregating near shops are frequent right across the country, and Stevenage is no different. 68% of the retailers interviewed as part of the evaluation said that teenagers hanging around represented a very big problem at the shopping precinct. In an attempt to dissuade young people from congregating, two MosquitoTM boxes were installed.
There have been a number of reports of the success of MosquitoTM. The Times states that the device was first used at a Spar shop in Barry, South Wales, where the manager – Robert Gough – was enthusiastic about its success rate in driving away the local youths. “Either someone has come along and wiped them off the face of the Earth or it’s really working,” states Gough.
The MosquitoTM is described as an ‘ultrasonic teenage deterrent’. It emits a high pitch sound that’s only audible to young people. It’s claimed that there is a medical phenomenon known as presbycusis or age-related hearing loss which begins after the age of 20 but is usually significant only in persons over 65. It first affects the highest frequencies (18 to 20 kHz) notably in those who have turned 20 years of age. In light of this it is possible to generate a high frequency sound that is, in the main, only audible to teenagers.
That high pitch sound is thought to be uncomfortable and irritating for young people to listen to, and so it is aimed at dispersing unwanted gatherings of youths and teenagers in shopping malls, around shops and anywhere else they are perceived to be causing problems or making a general nuisance of themselves.
Measuring the results
Fifteen young people (aged from 12 to 21) were stopped and surveyed within the range of the MosquitoTM while it was sounding. Of course, this small sample size needs to be borne in mind when interpreting the results.
Interestingly, when asked if they had heard the MosquitoTM emitting a high pitch sound less than half said they had (seven), six said they hadn’t and two were not sure if they had or not. Once the sound was listened for intently, all 15 young people said they could hear it.
Although the manufacturers of the product claim that teenagers are acutely aware of the MosquitoTM and usually move away from the area within an average of eight to ten minutes, there was little evidence of this in Stevenage. Moreover, those who were aware reported being ‘not bothered’ by the sound because they were not at the precinct long enough for it to become an annoyance. Others felt that it was at a volume too low to present a concern.
The point was made that young people could simply move beyond its range (15 to 20 metres). Overall, the young people surveyed did not think it was an effective deterrent to stop them from congregating. Similarly, the majority of retailers didn’t think that the MosquitoTM was – or indeed could be – effective in disbanding groups of young people from gathering at the precinct.
Importantly, it should be noted that the MosquitoTM is exclusionary, aiming to eliminate gatherings of young people rather than cater for them. This may well build up resentment among youngsters about how they are perceived and treated by the community in which they live. In Stevenage, local residents cited “having nowhere else to go” as the most common reason why young people were congregating outside the shops. Alternative sites and diversionary activities, then, may well be a more sustainable solution.
The MosquitoTM may be better suited to smaller areas than the precinct in Stevenage, which boasts 28 shops. Between the two boxes there was adequate space for young people to congregate while remaining outside of the unit’s scope. A more confined space would maximise the impact of MosquitoTM while limiting the resentment young people may feel against the technology.
Wireless paging systems
In an attempt to reduce shoplifting and improve feelings of safety among retailers in the shopping precinct, AlertBoxes were then installed. The AlertBox is a wireless paging system with the ability to notify other users within range to specific problems or incidents. The range of each unit varies between 100-150 metres, although this can be affected by building construction or the nearby presence of high energy equipment (like radio masts).
The AlertBox is mains-powered but does have a battery back-up that lasts approximately three hours in case of a power failure, or to afford a degree of portability. The two main buttons on the unit are Red for assistance or Orange to give a warning. These initial categories are then subdivided into three options the assistance options are ‘medical emergency’, ‘fire’ or ‘personal safety’, whereas the warning options for businesses are ‘nuisance’, ‘gang’ or ‘theft’.
When a user presses a button they have five seconds in which time they can clarify their requirement or cancel the alert. After five seconds the unit will broadcast the alert to other users in the vicinity. The encoded information includes the sender’s details alongside the nature of the alert. An audible alarm sounds on the receiving unit and continues at intervals for up to 20 minutes.
It was reported that there had only ever been one incident in which the traders used the AlertBox in earnest to seek assistance in dealing with an aggressive customer. It had also been used to issue warnings, and alert people to the presence of gangs.
How effective are they?
Although the research could not find any discernable impact of the AlertBox on crime and anti-social behaviour statistics, the traders were favourable about their implementation. The biggest positive was that the devices reduced the fear of crime and instilled a sense of community among traders.
Despite window stickers, it is thought that an awareness campaign may improve the deterrent effect of the AlertBox. A number of benefits were identified for the system:
The units: are limited in the amount of information that they can send about an incident or suspicious behaviour (descriptions of suspects, for example, cannot be sent); l have a limited range of approximately 100-150 metres radius from the transmitting unit; are unable to transmit a signal to the local
CCTV network; have no link to the emergency services;l are not particularly mobile and could not be easily carried around (the three-hour battery life also prohibits this) difficult situation a worker may struggle to reach the area where the AlertBox is kept; l could be subject to over-usage for mediocreor minor matters that will quickly undermine the AlertBox system and result in the development of a ‘crying wolf’ syndrome.
Despite only being used once in earnest in ten months, the level of communication and shared responsibility the units have introduced has had a positive impact. They have provided a level of reassurance to lone workers and given traders the confidence to tackle problems knowing that they have the support of fellow retailers in the vicinity. However, their impact on crime levels appears to be minimal.
Never lose sight of the issue
Stevenage Borough Council’s Community Safety Team has taken a pro-active step towards combating crime and anti-social behaviour in the town’s shopping precincts by trialling two relatively new community safety technologies.
The evaluation by Perpetuity outlined that these had varying degrees of success. The MosquitoTM was not found to be successful in disbanding groups of youths, but it may well be that the area was not suitable and too large.
The AlertBox was revealed to be a useful tool for improving community spirit and communications among traders as well as reducing the fear of crime, although other measures could achieve that result too.
When implementing new initiatives like these, it is vital not to lose sight of the problem and ensure that a relevant and realistic response is tailored to it. Assess each shopping area individually rather than presuming that what is suitable for one will be suitable for all.
Importantly, the whole process should include extensive consultation with local residents, Stakeholders and traders.
