AN ANTI-YOB device which was removed from a city Spar shop because of fears it breached its victims' human rights is back at another Spar.

Newport Community Safety Partnership stopped using the 'Mosquito', which is designed to cut anti-social behaviour by emitting an irritating noise only young people can hear, at a Spar shop on Caerleon Road last month.

They said they would not use it again until human rights, and health and safety issues, were resolved.

But now a device has been installed by Spar at the store on Cardiff Road. Acting manager Kay Cox, 47, said her staff had to put up with youths swearing and verbally abusing staff.

"It's always about their rights," she said. "But what about the abuse we have to put up with?"

Shop supervisor Leighton Cox, 19, who can himself hear the noise, said youths had stopped gathering outside the shop since the Mosquito was installed.

"It used to be packed outside, there would be about 20 kids. Now there isn't anyone."

The Argus reported how the Mosquito at the Spar on Caerleon Road cut anti-social behaviour by 84 per cent.

Simon Morris, sales and marketing manager for Compound Security Systems, which makes the Mosquito, said: "They are so effective. We are very confident it doesn't breach any human rights."

A spokeswoman for Spar said: "We wish to ensure, as far as possible, that our customers and staff are not intimidated by certain groups of youths so that they may shop and work in a more pleasant environment." A Newport Community Safety Partnership spokesman said: "Any view expressed by the Partnership does not stop any business or private company from purchasing these devices.

"They must ensure these systems comply with the law."