A dad-of-six claims his family are being driven out of their Bradford home by controversial ‘Mosquito’ devices which emit a high-pitched noise to repel young troublemakers.

Lee D’Arcy says his children have been sent home from school and have visited the doctor because the “unrelenting” noise is keeping them awake.

Police and a housing association put up three Mosquitos following complaints about youths gathering and drinking alcohol and taking drugs on a green.

Mr D’Arcy, who lives in a rented house near the green in Buxton Lane, Frizinghall, said: “It seems completely morally wrong that this is allowed.

“My children are totally innocent but they say the noise hurts and they can’t get away from it.”

The anti-gang devices have previously been criticised by civil liberties’ organisations for breaching young people’s human rights.

Mr D’Arcy said he could hear noise from the devices on the nearby building in the evening. He said it was causing sleepless nights for his children – Jason, six, Mia, seven, and Hannah, 13.

He also said the Mosquitos were seriously affecting partner Sarah Murray’s children, Megan, ten, Libby, seven, and Lewis Berry, a six-year-old orphan the couple had taken into their care.

Mr D’Arcy, a metallurgist for an aerospace company, has now provided his family with earplugs and ear defenders.

He said: “We have done absolutely nothing wrong but we feel we are being driven out.”

His neighbours said the Mosquitos were not there to target Mr D’Arcy’s family but had been put up on police advice in a crackdown on anti-social behaviour on the grassed area.

Residents have been working with Bradford Council’s anti-social behaviour team, Brunel Housing Association, which runs a complex for over-55s in the area, and Shipley police to stop anti-social behaviour on the green. Police put up one Mosquito 18 months ago and Brunel installed another two last Friday.

The housing association is now reviewing their use following a complaint from Mr D’Arcy.

Bradford Council anti-social behaviour officer John Crosland said mediators at Bradford-based Community Accord had been brought in to resolve disputes between residents living in the area. He said there had been success in ridding the area of anti-social behaviour.

Gary Smith, area manager for Brunel Housing, said Mosquitos had been “hugely successful” in deterring young people congregating and disturbing vulnerable elderly people.

He said: “Following a recent complaint from a nearby resident we are currently investigating if this method is now appropriate for the area. We will be consulting with them and the other residents to arrive at an amicable conclusion. If any other tenants have been affected, we encourage them to call us on (01274) 826000.”