Quirky News
Pink lights to spot teenagers
Council bosses are trying to stop teenagers hanging around street corners - by using special lights that show up their spots.
The special acne lights being used in Cardiff give off a pink glow that exaggerates any spots or blemishes on people's faces.
Officials hope the lamps, normally used by beauticians, will slash the numbers of youths loitering in an area blighted by anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Neil McEvoy said: "It would be very much for areas of anti-social behaviour and where younger people tend to congregate.
"I know when I was that age I would have been put off if blemishes on my face were shown up - I am pleased that the police are being proactive."
But the lights have been criticised by the National Youth Agency.
Development officer Peta Halls said: "Anything that aims to embarrass people out of an area is not on.
"Why waste limited resources on something which moves all young people out of an area? They will move on to somewhere else."
what do you think?
Gavin Nellis
you say that krissi but the youth club in my area is aimed towards 14-19 year olds and i refuse to let my kid go and mix at the age of 14 with 19 year old boys whoare only going to get her into trouble
Jamie Smith
But how do you know that for sure? I'm sure you've raised your daughter very well and have taught her the difference between right and wrong and should have faith in her to make the right decision when she is faced with it as we all have been at some point in time.
Dave Smith
Keep treating your kid like that and they will grow up to hate you.
Joan Holmes
Gavin my girls are grown up now but I sympathise with you it must be an absolute nightmare these days. No matter how well you have brought your children up the pressures must be enormous. Good luck
Krissi H
IAN - there is nothing wrong with a park, I was just suggesting something more adult rather than the swings. GAVIN - Any youth club is supervised by trained staff. I pick up JAMIE'S point that if she's been properly educated about relationships, you've nothing to worry about. When will you think it's the 'right time' for her to mix with the opposite sex?? Forbidden fruit is always the sweetest so take care in what restrictions or sanctions you impose.
bloodredstar
Wouldn't this money be better spent on more youth provision in areas where young people have nothing to do? Surely it is Councillor Neil McEvoy who should be feeling embarassed and under the spotlight for condoning the spending of public money on victimising and stigmatising the young people he should be doing everything to help and support?
jones.emyr
Well, this has stirred things up! I agree with Jamie, Krissi AND Kelly. It seems a bit odd to ban your child from youth club to prevent her mixing with others. (There will be 19 year olds at her school, Gavin - there are at ours!). When I was young, we had nowhere to go so we made our own fun (we did have a big farm to trundle around though). Today, people seem to expect local councils to magic places to go out of thin air! Adults have pubs, etc. to go to and can drive, unlike kids. Having said that - I rarely go out during the week - do these lurkers HAVE to be out all the time? Presumably they have homes...
jones.emyr
And back to the main point of the story (I'm on a roll!), this is a mad idea! If Spotty Jim is the sort of "nuisance" teenager who causes trouble while lurking, isn't he the sort to whip out his BB gun and just pop the pinky glow's bulb? Or, perchance, he could call on his old buddy, the Evil Hoodie, to shelter him from the light's acne-highlighting rays. You see, the likes of those setting up these lights among other "deterrents" believe firmly that all teenagers are spotty, carry guns (or knives) and wear clothing that forces them to be naughty. They're not biased or prejudiced or anything...
Raymond Castle
What happended to that 'mosquito' thing or didn't that work either?
Adrian Wagstaff
I find I get a very spotty face if I leave the house then return without having washed my pillow cases. They could try staying in their houses and seeing if their spots disappear. Then they could ... go so far ... as to find out if anyone is responsible ... for ... somehow ... causing their pillow cases to form spots on 'em? ...
Lance Brown
hahahaha........oh man........."1984".
Rob Shaw
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
gayboys4u
So soon only made up guys/gays will be loitering on street corners then, cool!
Krissi H
2:00pm on 7/3/2012
WTF NEXT?? Couldn't the councils just spend some money on recreation or appropriate venues for young people to meet and chat?? Despite the media, they are not all gun-toatin' gangsters hell bent on descruction. The majority would just like somewhere to hang out for a few hours.
Name witheld
5:03pm on 7/3/2012
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Kelly James
5:28pm on 7/3/2012
What's wrong with their own homes? Councils didn't provide anywhere for us when we were kids but we didn't loiter around streets and shops.
Joan Holmes
8:22pm on 7/3/2012
The difference is that when we were young we received a better education and were intelligent enough to organise ourselves and think of plenty to do to fill our time. Now they want it all laid on for them.
ben
9:42pm on 7/3/2012
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.