The rest of London might have been enjoying roast turkey and family board games over the festive period, but one particular team were even busier than usual.
 |
| [relatedPosts title=”Related Posts”] |
|
|
Westminster Council’s noise team had 276 calls between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day. Residents were also determined to enjoy the big day itself, with officers responding to 17 complaints. Things were even noisier over the new year weekend with a total number of complaints at 85.
They dealt with everything from burglar alarms to noisy builders, but the overwhelming number of complaints at 160 was people complaining about their neighbours playing music too loud or shouting at one another. Others took umbrage with buskers and several car and house alarms were also to blame.
Westminster Council’s cabinet member for enterprise and volunteering, Cllr Brian Connell said: “Our noise team are inundated with calls around this time of the year and they do a fantastic job at responding to people’s complaints and dealing with them calmly and fairly. It can often be very challenging and it is to their credit that they do their job so professionally especially at a time of the year when the rest of Westminster is enjoying a festive break.”
Westminster Council’s noise team is arguably the busiest in the country operating 24 hours a day. Last year it handled 17,673 complaints of which 96.43% were responded to within 45 minutes.1278 noise and statutory nuisance notices were served and 34 prosecution cases were heard in the magistrates courts.
In 2010, it handled 19,066 calls. Of these 98.8% were responded to within 45 minutes. There were 25 noise prosecutions and 768 noise and statutory nuisance notices were served.
The team specialise in:
- noisy neighbours and dogs (including loud music and parties)
- building sites, roadworks and DIY works
- prolonged ringing of burglar and car alarms
- ventilation systems and plant noise
- noisy vehicles, equipment or machinery in the street
- night clubs and licensed premises
- odours and pests
- drainage and waste accumulation
After a complaint is made the team will contact the caller within 45 minutes, either by telephone or by a visit in order to investigate the noise complaint If a statutory nuisance is witnessed a formal notice may be served. If the person responsible does not ensure that the nuisance is stopped within the time stated in the notice, we will consider prosecution. This could lead to a fine of up to £5,000 for residential premises and up to £20,000 for commercial premises.
.
