Statistics show numbers of noisy North neighbours

Jul 5 2009 by Dan Warburton, Sunday Sun

THE MISERY noisy neighbours heap on North families is today laid bare in shocking new statistics.

The Sunday Sun can reveal that nearly 16,000 people across the North contacted councils concerning rowdy homeowners in the last year.

Over the last 12 months regionwide, there were 41 complaints about noise hell every day – amounting to nearly two every hour.

Barking dogs, blaring music, loud televisions and abusive youngsters are among the complaints lodged with noise control teams.

But only a small percentage of pests have been prosecuted for making the lives of their neighbours hell.

Councils across the North slapped only 2177 noise abatement orders on persistent offenders – accounting for less than 14 per cent of all complaints.

Across Tyne and Wear, enforcers confiscated a host of sound systems, including stereos, televisions and high performance speakers.

The councils there received 12,638 complaints, with just 2141 noise abatement notices served.

As well as slapping an ASBO on one person who flouted the law on noise levels, more than 25 pieces of equipment were seized and destroyed in the last 12 months.

But council chiefs claim they are clamping down on noise pests and vowed to stamp out anti-social behaviour.

Ed Foster, Newcastle City Council’s safety and noise team manager, said: “We won’t tolerate noise. We want residents to be able to enjoy their homes and live together peacefully. We are proactive in our approach to clamping down on noisy neighbours.