Dobbyn anthem on lout control playlist

Dave Dobbyn. Photo / APN

Dave Dobbyn's anthem Loyal has been given a new lease of life scaring away louts in Hamilton.

The tune - as well Barry Manilow's I Write the Songs and even some Mozart - has been blasted out of speakers around Garden Place in a city council attempt to deter unsocial behaviour in the area.

Councillor Angela O'Leary said the $27,000 initiative gained momentum this year after the council met business owners to discuss their concerns.

Businesses have complained to the council about underage drinking, public urinating and drug dealing.

She said playing a "particular type of music" could act as a deterrent, although she was not bold enough to say what was on the playlist.

"We are using music to create an environment a bad element probably would not enjoy - they probably wouldn't like listening to Barry Manilow or Mozart.

"The people we want to see hereare more likely to come back into the area and from our own personal experience we know that elevator music isn't going to start a riot in an elevator."

The council said Loyal was played on a loop on Wednesday.

Aman Dusad, who runs a restaurant in Garden Place, had problems with youngsters using his outdoor furniture as a meeting place.

He has also seen youths smoking Kronic and drinking in the area but was unsure if the music would move them on.

"It could be good for the visitors who come here," he said.

"Maybe they should use natural sounds. In Wellington they have bird sounds playing through speakers in Cuba Mall, that was nice."

The Herald also spoke to several youths in the stairwell of a building, who were seemingly oblivious to other people who were trying to pass them to get inside.

Asked if such music would move him on, Kahu Waitere, 21, said, "Nah.

"Maybe if they played that death metal stuff though, then I'd probably go."