AFP: A British town is using garish pink lighting that shows up acne to deter teenagers from loitering, in the latest example of using simple technology to break up loutish gatherings.

Residents of Mansfield in central England have installed fluorescent pink lights normally used by dermatologists to show up pimples and acne blemishes.

That aside, it is also thought that surly teenage males might find it "uncool" to hang around in a bright pink underpass.

Marianne Down, from the Layton Burroughs Residents' Association, told Mansfield newspaper Chad that the lights were having the desired effect.

"We used to have quite a problem with large groups of young people hanging around in the underpasses drinking, which felt quite intimidating, but the pink lights have really made a difference," she said.

"The groups aren't there as much and it feels safer walking through there now, particularly at night."

Britain has turned to several new ideas to deter teenage louts from hanging around where they are not wanted.

The Mosquito, a device which emits an irritating high-pitched sound that adults cannot hear, has been deployed in several towns across the country, to great effect.

Mansfield residents are so pleased with the lights that they are planning to install a new set elsewhere in the town. Local councillor David Brown said: "I totally agree with it and it seems a good idea.

"It will be interesting to see how effective this is. It's effectively embarrassing them into moving on but they could just see it as a big joke and turn up with balaclavas."

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