A busker has had his equipment seized by Environmental Health Officers after noise nuisance complaints were received by Oxford City Council.
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The first complaint was received on 18 January 2013 this year about Marrion Cobraretti who plays a guitar in Cornmarket Street on Oxford city centre.
Numerous complaints were received throughout this year about the busker who lives in Field Avenue, Blackbird Leys.
As a result of the complaints, his guitar and amplifier were seized by Environmental Health Officers from Oxford City Council on Monday 3 June 2013. The seizure operation was supported by officers from Thames Valley Police.
Councillor John Tanner, Board Member for a Cleaner, Greener Oxford, says: “This busker was given numerous warnings which he chose to ignore. I am pleased that we were able to take this action and restore some peace to the streets of Oxford.”
Mr Cobraretti received his first verbal warning from Environmental Health officers on 21 January 2013. He was given two further warnings in February before being issued a written warning advising him of the enforcement action we would take.
In response to a complaint on 28 March 2013 and having witnessed him causing a noise nuisance, Environmental Health officers issued an abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and advised him that breach of notice could result in confiscation of his equipment.
A breach of the notice was witnessed on 12 April 2013 and Mr Cobraretti was given a written warning that he had breached the notice and that if any further breaches were witnessed then we would use our powers under the Act to remove his equipment.
In response to a complaint on Monday 3 June 2013, an officer from Environmental Development witnessed a further breach of the notice from busking activities on Cornmarket Street.
As a result Mr Cobraretti’s guitar and amplifier were confiscated and are being held at the Council’s offices.
Under the noise nuisance legislation the Council also has the power to prosecute Mr Cobraretti for breach of the abatement notice.
