In 2000, David Blunkett, then Education Secretary, enjoined schools to ban mobile use by the under 16s unless in an emergency, because of possible health risks.

Now that he is home secretary, Blunkett proposes a series of penalizing measures to reduce the growth in anti-social behaviour. These proposals vary from confiscating “bad guys” mobile phones to banning them from football matches. So far his suggestions have been deemed somewhat overstated and too criminalizing.