THE BOSS of a Weston shop says the secret to deterring gangs of youths is simple – just get Mozart and Tchaikovsky on the rota.

Co-op store manager Ray Toft has been blasting out classical tunes from speakers since Christmas in a bold bid to make the Ivymeade area a "less cool" hangout and deter troublemakers.

Ray, 48, said: "We’ve had some trouble with gangs – but this music really is working!

"We used to use the Mosquito – the buzz only youths can hear – but it seemed a bit unfriendly. The customers seem to like the classical stuff, and even the residents across the road are happy with it."

The volume switch behind the counter is controlled by staff and can be adjusted depending on the size of a "gang".

Classics by composers like Mozart and Tchaikovsky are broadcast on external speakers – but dance music fan Ray admits he doesn’t really know what they’re playing.

"I'm not very good at composers so I can’t recognise them! I certainly wouldn’t have liked it as a teenager, and I still like dance music. I’m a big fan of Beyonce."

Inspector Gareth Woods, head of Macclesfield’s Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: "The Co-op as a group work very closely with us, and they are well on side.

"Clearly they feel a need for this tactic and there are no health risks or dangers. Young people congregate outside stores everywhere because they feel safe and it’s well-lit – they are not necessarily doing anything illegal – but it can make some people feel uncomfortable. It’s striking that balance."

Mark Payne, music and arts director at Fallibroome High School, said: "It’s good to see music being put to a creative use, but it’s a pity that this might just reinforce the notion that classical music is boring and that all young people dislike it!

"We have many students who listen to and perform classical music regularly and love it." John Hilbert, the Co-operative’s regional loss prevention manager, said young people hanging around outside were intimidating shoppers and staff, and that music reduced the problem.

He added: "The youngsters are definitely not classical music fans and tend to disappear as soon as we turn the music on. It makes our shops ‘less cool’ as places for youngsters to hang out. We are really pleased the music is having such a positive effect and is making life easier for our customers and staff."

Co-op’s classical playlist top ten:

The Co-op plays a ‘Best of Classics’ CD which contains these pieces:

  • Liszt – The Preludes.
  • Tchaikovsky – Scene (modersato) from Swan Lake.
  • Vivaldi – Concerto No. 8 in A min (3rd movement).
  • Mozart – Symphony No. 40 in G min (Molto allegro).
  • Rossini – Figaro.
  • Bellini – Casta Diva.
  • Tchaikovsky – Nocturn.
  • Bach – Violin Concerto in E (Adagio).
  • Vivaldi – Winter (1st movement).
  • Tchaikovsky – Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf.