The device sends out a high-pitched irritating noise

The device, called a Mosquito, works by emitting a high pitched irritating noise audible only to young people.

They were fitted in Norden in Rochdale last year to deter gangs from congregating next to a care home.

But Ben Robertson, 19, believes they are in breach of civil liberties and are discriminatory against youths.

He said: "We should look at ways to integrate teenagers more, look at alternatives of solving the problem of anti-social behaviour.

"We can't have young people thinking they are isolated from society.

They need to be regulated. Currently the police and local authority use them but the public can buy them off the internet Ben Robertson, Campaigner

"We are being discriminated because of our age. These boxes are put up in areas that are public and therefore it's a breach of civil liberty."

Mr Robertson said he could no longer hear the noise and he was not one of those affected when the boxes were installed, but he claims there are wider issues.

"At the very least they need to be regulated. Currently the police and local authority use them but the public can buy them off the internet," he said.

John Johnson, of Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership, said: "Use of the Mosquito alarm system has been approved by the council's legal team and the inventor of the device has also got clearance for its use following legal and health checks.

"The devices are used on a short-term basis in hot-spots of anti-social behaviour across the borough.

"The alarm system we use is noise-activated, so the alarms will trigger only if there is sufficient noise, which should mean that they affect only those who are causing a disturbance.

"Young people going quietly about their business would therefore not generally hear the device."