A LOCAL campaigner has spoken of his bitter disappointment following the Port of Milford Haven’s decision to stick with a controversial anti-loitering alarm.

Gareth Bromhall and his fellow anti-Mosquito device campaigners have been in talks with the Port to get the device removed from outside Milford Library.

But, despite lengthy negotiations and protests in the town, the Port will be sticking with the alarm at Cedar Court.

A spokesman for the Port said the it had worked with Gareth to improve signage in the area notifying people that the alarm – which emits a high frequency sound – was in operation.

But, she added, as long as anti-social behaviour continued in the area, the device would remain.

She said the Port’s primary responsibility was providing a “safe working environment for our staff, tenants and member of the public who are legitimately using the area”.

But Gareth says he is unhappy with the decision, and will continue trying to get the device – which he sees as part of a wider attack on young people - removed.

“The Port authority has chosen to put profit before people by championing the device, which we believe is harmful, and particularly dangerous to those with epilepsy, autism and hypersensitivity to sound,” he said.

Gareth said campaigners would now be looking to forge further links with local youth groups “to educate them about the dangers of the device and engage with them positively, rather than treat them like the unwanted, disenfranchised and ‘scary’ group that some elements in society see them as”.