Hamilton MSP Christina Mckelvie has said the safety of staff, the public are paramount after meeting with Scotrail staff, to discuss the controversial high-frequency Mosquito device installed by station chiefs.
The device, which emits a high-frequency sound audible only to the under 25s, in an attempt to drive off loiterers, has been condemned by the children's commissioner, who called for the Scottish Government to ban the technology.
But Ms Mckelvie, SNP MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, said the device was acceptable as a last resort.
She said her meeting with staff had been constructive and positive: “I impressed upon them my strong discouragement of the device, including citing the Council of Europe Report which charts the disproportionate impact these devices have on young people" she said.
“Whilst the rights of the child must be protected and maintained, I empathise and indeed support the rights of Scotrail to have a duty of care to their staff. I have received assurances that this device is a last resort measure and is only being used when there is an immediate danger to members of the public and staff at Hamilton Central."
Staff raised concerns about incidents of anti-social behaviour at the station and demonstrated outside it last month over claims that their safety was being put at risk when attempting to disperse large gangs.
Ms McKElvie said the meeting was part of a programme over the summer agreed at a recent parliamentary summit on the problems at Hamilton Central, which brought together Scotrail, The RMT, Police Scotland and British Transport Police.
“As part of my ongoing work with all stakeholders from my Parliamentary Summit, throughout the summer recess I will meet one on one with them all to check what progress we have made in eradicating the ongoing behaviour at Hamilton Central," she said. "I would again implore to those using our station as a vehicle for their behaviour to think of the impact and damage they are causing to our town.”
Scottish Greens Transport and Justice Spokesperson John Finnie MSP said the device was an inappropriate response to problems caused by a minority of young people.
Mr Finnie said: “While appropriate action must be taken to prevent and deter anti-social behaviour and protect staff and passengers from abuse, targeting all young people with such devices is completely unacceptable.
“I call on British Transport Police to work with colleagues in Police Scotland to address this disorder – installation of this device is a poor substitute for robust police action. It is completely inappropriate that Scotrail have deployed such devices and I would call on them to stop it at once, and remove the device at Hamilton immediately."
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