The Scottish Grocers' Federation (SGF) has defended Scottish retailers' use of the high-pitch Mosquito deterrent after Edinburgh council became the latest to ban use of the device on council-owned buildings.
The decision by Edinburgh councillors was followed by a motion in the Scottish Parliament by MSP Bill Kidd, encouraging other local authorities to follow the capital's ban.
But the SGF has defended the use of the device, which can usually be heard only by people under the age of 25. Chief executive John Drummond said: "Politicians are quick to point the finger of blame at retailers for problems created by groups of young people, yet are unwilling to make these same young people take responsibility for their own actions.
"Many of our members who choose to use a Mosquito device do so as a last resort."
Other UK councils which have so far introduced a ban include Kent and the Vale of Glamorgan (C-Store, June 27).
The decision by Edinburgh councillors was followed by a motion in the Scottish Parliament by MSP Bill Kidd, encouraging other local authorities to follow the capital's ban.
But the SGF has defended the use of the device, which can usually be heard only by people under the age of 25. Chief executive John Drummond said: "Politicians are quick to point the finger of blame at retailers for problems created by groups of young people, yet are unwilling to make these same young people take responsibility for their own actions.
"Many of our members who choose to use a Mosquito device do so as a last resort."
Other UK councils which have so far introduced a ban include Kent and the Vale of Glamorgan (C-Store, June 27).
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