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In the pink - why yobs with acne see the light
Last updated at 23:37pm on 15.11.06
The lights are so strong they highlight skin blemishes and have been successful in moving on youths from troublespots who view pink as being 'uncool'.
Yobs are being shamed out of anti-social behaviour by bright pink lights which show up their acne.
The lights are so strong they highlight skin blemishes and have been successful in moving on youths from troublespots who view pink as being "uncool."
Officials in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire are considering whether to introduce the scheme to combat anti-social teenagers, especially males.
It has been trialled elsewhere in the country and is under the scrutiny of the local Safer Neighbourhood Partnership.
Manager Dave Hey said: "With the fluorescent pink light we are trying to embarass young people out of the area.
"The pink is not seen as particularly macho among young men and apparently it highlights acne and blemishes in the skin.
"It is just one of a range of ways and means of deterring anti-social behaviour we are looking at."
A North Lincolnshire Council spokesman said: "We are always looking for innovative ways to tackle anti-social behaviour.
"Each area is different, for some CCTV is the answer, in others finding young people alternative places to meet.
"However it could just boil down to making an area unattractive for young people. This is why pink lighting is being investigated.
"On the face of it this sounds barmy. But do young people really want to hang around in an area with a pink glow that makes any spots they have on their face stand out?"
Other schemes across the country are gathering information on the bright lights.
Reader views (2)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
They are just going to make kids feel worse about their acne then they already do. And kids are just going to either wear balaclavas or masks; or simply smash the light. I am a teen with acne, and I get alienated all the time due to acne and a couple of other things; horrible idea. I think there is legal ground to get these removed.
- Angryteen1992, Ontario, Canada
All this just to alienate youngsters even more.
Wouldn't it be cheaper to provide them with something to do rather than continuing to edge them out of society?
Subsidised tickets to cinemas, bowling alleys and the like would probably cost a fraction of the amount currently spent on dealing with bored youths causing a nuisance and committing crime.
- Larry, London
