Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of high-pitched audio deterrents in public spaces for the dispersal of young people.

The Government has not made a specific assessment of the effectiveness of high-pitched audio deterrents in dispersing young people from public spaces.

The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police with dispersal powers which enable uniformed officers to direct individuals to leave a specified area where their presence or behaviour has contributed, or is likely to contribute, to anti-social behaviour, crime or disorder. We have strengthened these powers through the Crime and Policing Act 2026 by extending the maximum period for which a dispersal direction can be given from 48 to 72 hours.

Prevention and early intervention are also important in tackling anti-social behaviour involving young people. Our statutory guidance on anti-social behaviour powers sets out the important role of early and informal interventions. The guidance recommends that informal approaches are considered first in most cases, particularly when dealing with young people.

The Government currently has no plans to introduce regulations limiting the installation of high-pitched audio deterrents on private property.