It is disturbing, therefore, to learn of the installation of pink lighting, similar to that used by dermatologists to show up blemishes and acne, by a residents' association in Mansfield. The lights, installed at public areas where young people gather, are designed to deter their presence. The chair of the association leading the initiative claims that the pink, potentially "uncool" colour of the lighting is intended as the deterrent but in fact these devices may breach articles within the European Convention on Human Rights, which is now part of our domestic law.
The initiative, which was launched in consultation with Nottinghamshire Police, clearly considers young people to be a nuisance and contributes to a culture of mistrust between generations. Just like Sonic Teenager Deterrents, or "mosquitoes", it is symptomatic of a wider approach taken towards Britain's young people, who are increasingly marginalised and pushed to the edges of society rather than treated as valuable members of their communities.
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