0:00:02 > 0:00:06All over the UK millions of people, just like you and me,
0:00:06 > 0:00:11are being driven up the wall by anti-social nuisance noise.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14A living nightmare, it's like I don't want to be there anymore.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17I just want them to have consideration for people.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Persistent parties,
0:00:19 > 0:00:23Aggravating alarms, and banging builders
0:00:25 > 0:00:28They're keeping us awake, disturbing our peace and quiet
0:00:28 > 0:00:30and driving us to despair.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32It's very annoying, to be honest.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35It's too loud, too loud.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37But the fight back is on.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Come and speak to us, we've had complaints about the noise.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Across the country dedicated enforcement teams are getting
0:00:43 > 0:00:47to grips with nuisance noise 24/7.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50I want it turned off all together and taken inside.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52We've got a warrant to enter the property,
0:00:52 > 0:00:56so we're going to come in if you don't come and answer the door.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Enough is enough. It's time to put an end to nuisance noise.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03We would like the music off. Off, now.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05And we won't leave until the music is off.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09It's time to meet the no nonsense noise squad
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Noisy neighbours, late night parties,
0:01:26 > 0:01:28illegal building work, and annoying animals.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31We've seen and heard them all
0:01:31 > 0:01:34whilst we've been on shift with the noise squad.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Turn the music down and then come back and talk to me.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41Today we're going to take a look at some of the noisiest, trickiest,
0:01:41 > 0:01:46quirkiest and most dangerous cases we've seen officers tackle.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51We were with them when they went to quieten a noisy birthday bash.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55I've a right to celebrate, it's cost me a lot of money.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59We saw them get to grips with a crowing cockerel.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03And we were there when a nuisance noise maker turned violent.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07Police please. I'm being assaulted.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Parties come in all shapes and sizes
0:02:09 > 0:02:12and noise officers have seen them all.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15- From big bashes in London's Soho... - It's disgusting.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18It's up there, you see those strobe lights.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21..to wedding celebrations in hotels.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28The most common though, are house parties.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32Every year, noise squads across the UK deal with thousands of complaints
0:02:32 > 0:02:37about rowdy parties in people's homes keeping neighbours awake late at night.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40This is a written warning to say we've been here.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45On a very busy Saturday night,
0:02:45 > 0:02:49we joined noise enforcement officers Anthony Dean and Michael,
0:02:49 > 0:02:52as they made their way to investigate a complaint about loud music
0:02:52 > 0:02:55that was disturbing an entire street.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00I could hear loud music on the phone, which is unusual.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03We'll go and listen at the complainant's property,
0:03:03 > 0:03:04see whether it's a nuisance.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07It's after 11 o'clock.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11When they arrive, they can hear the noise coming down the street.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18You can hear loud music in the street.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21We'll have a listen in the complainant's property,
0:03:21 > 0:03:24if it's a nuisance, then we'll have to have a word with them,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27ask them to turn it down, if they don't we can come back with the police.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29That is very loud.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36After assessing the noise from inside a complainant's home,
0:03:36 > 0:03:40Anthony and Michael decide they're going to take action.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44Councils across the UK deal with nuisance noise in slightly different ways.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49Here in York, the noise squad can hand out an abatement notice straight away,
0:03:49 > 0:03:53but in most cases they first serve a verbal or written warning,
0:03:53 > 0:03:55giving perpetrators a chance to stop the noise.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59If the noise continues they'll then serve a legal abatement notice.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02If that's breached they could be prosecuted,
0:04:02 > 0:04:06get a criminal record and a fine of up to £5,000.
0:04:10 > 0:04:17At the party, Anthony needs to find out who the responsible homeowner is.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21Is the owner of the property here, is it yourself?
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Would you mind going and getting them for us,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26just from the Council, from the noise control.
0:04:26 > 0:04:27Hiya, how're you doing?
0:04:27 > 0:04:30How are you, all right?
0:04:30 > 0:04:32Are you the occupier of this property?
0:04:32 > 0:04:34We've had some complaints about the noise.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38- It's loud?- I know, and it's excessively loud.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40It's going to be calming down now.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43The homeowner explains she's holding a family party.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47It's my son in law's 50th, it's the biggest party I've ever had,
0:04:47 > 0:04:50I've never had this music before.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Some of the party guests get involved.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55I will get them to turn it down.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58But turning the music down isn't good enough for Anthony.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02If I can try and do my job which is just to try and get it sorted, OK.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04We've had some complaints.
0:05:04 > 0:05:05It's a bit noisy?
0:05:05 > 0:05:09It's not a bit noisy, it's excessively noisy.
0:05:09 > 0:05:10Let me continue.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14The noise that we've heard is sufficiently loud to be what
0:05:14 > 0:05:17we call a statutory noise nuisance. What I'm going to say now is,
0:05:17 > 0:05:20I want you to turn it pretty well actually off.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23I want the music to be inside, it's 11:30 at night
0:05:23 > 0:05:26and it's unacceptable.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30Anthony wants the outside music turned off completely,
0:05:30 > 0:05:32but he's not getting much co-operation.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34Turn the music off outside.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37We're not going to turn it off, but we are going to turn it down.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39To be honest, I want it turned off outside.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42I ain't bothered what you want.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45THE FAMILY BICKER
0:05:45 > 0:05:46It's nearly midnight.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49Most people are trying to get some sleep.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53Anthony serves a written warning to the householder, to stop the noise.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55If she doesn't, she'll get an abatement notice
0:05:55 > 0:05:58and if she ignores that, she could be prosecuted.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03I'm just giving you this, just so that you know that we visited, OK?
0:06:03 > 0:06:05There's no sign of the music being turned off.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08I want it to turn off, you want to turn it down.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11You've said you'll do what you like. Fine, well, you do what you like.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14What I'm saying is, if it continues and causes a noise nuisance,
0:06:14 > 0:06:17then we might have to come back and serve a notice.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19We don't want...
0:06:19 > 0:06:24It's all right, what decibel would you like it at?
0:06:24 > 0:06:27I want it turned off externally and taken inside.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32The homeowner says to Michael this is a one off.
0:06:32 > 0:06:38It's the first I've had, a party, and it's going to stop soon because of my age.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41One of the partygoers asks who's complained.
0:06:41 > 0:06:42Why have you come here, who called you?
0:06:42 > 0:06:44I'm not at liberty to tell you.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- Has somebody called you? - We have had a number of complaints.
0:06:47 > 0:06:48- A number?- Yes.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51- What, one or two, or? - More than two complaints.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Eventually, the music gets turned off.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58Thank you very much for turning it off now. Hopefully that'll be the end of it.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00But the homeowner's unhappy.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02My son in law's having his fiftieth birthday,
0:07:02 > 0:07:04I have a right to celebrate it.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08It's cost me a lot of money. It's only once, there'll be no more for another year probably.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11She does offer to change the music though.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13I do have some Barry Manilow, how about that?
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Well, let's hope Barry Manilow is played at a much quieter volume
0:07:16 > 0:07:20for the sake of the neighbours and her guests.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Written warning served, the officers leave the scene,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26but Anthony's not convinced his job is done here.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29See? It's still going on. I'll give them ten minutes.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31They turned it down and then they turned it off
0:07:31 > 0:07:33now it's on and off.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38I suspect we'll have further complaints this evening, so we'll be back.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43And sure enough, before Anthony and Michael have even had the chance to drive off,
0:07:43 > 0:07:48the party music is back on...
0:07:48 > 0:07:51and it's as loud as ever.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53We've had a number of further complaints,
0:07:53 > 0:07:57we're actually still stood in the road just round the corner,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00and I can hear The Wonder of You being sung very loudly in the background.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03I suspect it's probably going to be another nuisance
0:08:03 > 0:08:05and we may well have to serve notice.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07So, we'll visit the complainant again,
0:08:07 > 0:08:10make an assessment in their property and how it's affecting them.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14An abatement notice is more serious than a written warning.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18It's a legal document telling perpetrators to stop the noise nuisance.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22If they don't, they'll have to pay the consequences in court
0:08:22 > 0:08:25and could end up with a criminal record.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29Anthony and Michael have called the police for backup to serve the notice.
0:08:32 > 0:08:37But once they and the police arrive at the property it's all gone quiet.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39Yeah, sorry about that.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42They've turned it off now but it's been excessively loud.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45We've had about seven or eight complaints from people in the area.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47The lads have witnessed nuisance noise,
0:08:47 > 0:08:50but rather than serving the notice now,
0:08:50 > 0:08:53they've decided it would be better to do it another day.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55They have literally just turned it off,
0:08:55 > 0:08:59so rather than antagonise the situation and go and serve a notice now, what we will do is
0:08:59 > 0:09:02we'll serve a notice early part of next week on the owner.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07That means if they have any further parties in the next year or so, that cause a problem,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10then we may well be able to take action against them.
0:09:11 > 0:09:16A few days later Michael served the owner with a noise abatement notice.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20If there are anymore noisy parties from here, she could be getting
0:09:20 > 0:09:24a court summons and that wouldn't be a cause for celebration.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32We might be a nation of animal lovers
0:09:32 > 0:09:36but we also like a bit of peace and quiet.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38Whilst we've been on patrol with the noise squad,
0:09:38 > 0:09:43we've seen them deal with complaints about nuisance noises
0:09:43 > 0:09:47being made by people's pets.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51I just feel very cross and angry and upset at the moment.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53It really is stressful and irritating,
0:09:53 > 0:09:57and it makes you feel really frustrated.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59You just want it to shut up.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03In Belfast, the team served an Article 38 notice on one owner
0:10:03 > 0:10:05who, despite plenty of warnings,
0:10:05 > 0:10:09had failed to do anything about their dog's persistent barking.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12This notice says is that if there's further disturbance
0:10:12 > 0:10:16the council can take you to court and prosecute you and fine you.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19If the pesky pooch continues to be a problem
0:10:19 > 0:10:23the owner could be fined up to £5,000.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27It's your responsibility to ensure it's not disturbing the neighbours.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31In another part of the country, they had a complaint about a mystery noise.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34It turned out to be a faulty ultrasonic cat scarer,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37but the owner didn't know what all the fuss was about.
0:10:37 > 0:10:38HIGH PITCHED SQUEAKING
0:10:38 > 0:10:41This is what's making the noise.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43- I can't hear that. - You can't hear that?- No.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47But the most unusual pet that the team had to deal with
0:10:47 > 0:10:49was a crowing cockerel.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56Noise officer Craig Delorenzo and trainee Siobhan Metcalf
0:10:56 > 0:10:59at the York noise squad investigated a complaint from a resident
0:10:59 > 0:11:03who was being woken at the crack of dawn by a call of nature.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09We're just listening to a complaint
0:11:09 > 0:11:14of a cockerel crowing in the early hours of the morning.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16The problem has been going on for a while now,
0:11:16 > 0:11:20we just had some recording equipment put in to the complainant's property
0:11:20 > 0:11:23and we're recording the noise from the cockerel.
0:11:23 > 0:11:29In this particular instance, it starts at ten to six in the morning,
0:11:29 > 0:11:31and is crowing 14 times in five minutes.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38If someone's being woken up before six in the morning,
0:11:38 > 0:11:41it's no wonder this cockerel's ruffling a few feathers.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47We're all often asked about decibels,
0:11:47 > 0:11:51and decibels can be a bad way of describing noise
0:11:51 > 0:11:55because it's the annoyance that the noise causes
0:11:55 > 0:11:57rather than just how loud it is.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01For instance, we've got quite high noise levels of birdsong,
0:12:01 > 0:12:05so tweeting sparrows and blackbirds and things,
0:12:05 > 0:12:09and those noises don't bother anyone.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11But you have an out-of-the-ordinary noise,
0:12:11 > 0:12:14such as a cockerel in a city centre location,
0:12:14 > 0:12:16and that can disturb people.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23The following week, Craig and Siobhan hit the road.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27They've written to the owner of the cockerel and now they're going to visit her.
0:12:27 > 0:12:32With six years experience on the noise team, Craig knows that however tricky the problem,
0:12:32 > 0:12:37turning a deaf ear and hoping for the best isn't really an option.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41It's important that we're determined to deal with these problems.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44You can't just leave it and let them get away with it,
0:12:44 > 0:12:48you have to keep going on and on and on and investigate it thoroughly.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50If you're being disturbed by noisy neighbours
0:12:50 > 0:12:54or any other type of nuisance noise,
0:12:54 > 0:12:58your local noise squad are on hand to deal with it.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00So don't suffer in silence, give them a call.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Craig and Siobhan arrive at the owner's home.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09With cases like this, noise officers in York
0:13:09 > 0:13:11have the power to serve written notices,
0:13:11 > 0:13:15telling owners to quieten their animals down.
0:13:15 > 0:13:21A written notice means that pet owners are legally obliged to keep their animals quiet.
0:13:21 > 0:13:26Breaching this notice is an offence and the owner could be prosecuted in court
0:13:26 > 0:13:27and fined up to £5,000.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Craig and Siobhan are led to the back garden
0:13:32 > 0:13:34to meet the noisy culprits.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36We've had a complaint about the cockerel,
0:13:36 > 0:13:38and wanted to come and see you about it
0:13:38 > 0:13:40and give you some advice.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42The owner's keen to let them know
0:13:42 > 0:13:45that although her animals are her pride and joy,
0:13:45 > 0:13:51she never intended to be the owner of two noisy cockerels.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53I had three hens and one cockerel
0:13:53 > 0:13:56and the fox took them on New Year's Eve.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00So, basically, when I got these, they were babies
0:14:00 > 0:14:04You can't tell their sex until they are adults. So I've ended up with more than one cockerel.
0:14:04 > 0:14:11Craig lets her know that there are people who aren't so impressed with early morning wake up calls.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13The reason why we've come here today
0:14:13 > 0:14:15is we've had a complaint from a resident.
0:14:15 > 0:14:16We've had recording equipment in too.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19Yeah, I read the letter, I didn't see your first letter,
0:14:19 > 0:14:22I received the one when I got home from work today.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27I actually spoke to my nearest neighbours before I got the chickens
0:14:27 > 0:14:30and, obviously, they've got children and they all come in the garden,
0:14:30 > 0:14:35everybody gets the eggs, the kids come and see the chickens, they come and feed them.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39And everybody was like, "Oh, it's a lovely noise compared to sirens."
0:14:39 > 0:14:41Police cars going off all the time,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44ambulances back and forth over there,
0:14:44 > 0:14:46I thought, what's a cockerel going to do?
0:14:46 > 0:14:49So, obviously somebody's upset.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51The majority round here I did...
0:14:51 > 0:14:54I wasn't arrogant enough to go ahead and not say anything,
0:14:54 > 0:14:58but it's been novelty, me having chickens in the street.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02The complaint hasn't come from neighbours who live next door.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06The owner wants to come up with a solution
0:15:06 > 0:15:10and it turns out one of the birds is considerably louder than the other.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12The first stage I thought,
0:15:12 > 0:15:16the first step I'll do, is get rid of the noisy one, the black one.
0:15:16 > 0:15:17And then see how it goes.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21And if the complaints resume, then the blonde one then has to go.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- And I thought that was the compromise that was...- I'm happy to go with that compromise.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28The owner thinks she can find the noisier, black cockerel
0:15:28 > 0:15:30a new home in around three weeks.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32If there are still complaints after that,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35then the other cockerel will be re-homed too.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38We may find that once the other one goes,
0:15:38 > 0:15:41the other one starts to be more dominant.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44He may, but he's a little gentleman.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Until now, the owner wasn't aware that her birds
0:15:47 > 0:15:49were getting someone in a bit of flap.
0:15:49 > 0:15:54I was quite surprised to get the letter from the Council
0:15:54 > 0:15:56because prior to getting the chickens
0:15:56 > 0:15:58I actually talked to the neighbours,
0:15:58 > 0:16:01especially the neighbours next door, and I asked them if they
0:16:01 > 0:16:05would be, you know, have any problem with me getting the chickens.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09And everybody was quite, 'Ooh it's great, a unique new thing,'
0:16:09 > 0:16:11and it's brought fun to the children.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14And also the neighbours get all the eggs,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17and they love them, they actually come knocking asking for eggs.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21But also through that, we've started trading vegetables with eggs, so it all works out.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25I actually thought we were working well together as a community.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29And having had these feathered friends for a number of months,
0:16:29 > 0:16:31her family have all got quite used to the crowing.
0:16:31 > 0:16:36Basically I've actually shut off to them, I can't hear them.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39I mean, the children, they sleep through the crowing as well.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42I think what it is, it's like anything, train noise,
0:16:42 > 0:16:46police noise, any sirens you eventually just get used to it.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51But obviously this noise is quite irritating for some individual.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53Well, thanks for your help today.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56What I'll do is, I'll keep in touch with you
0:16:56 > 0:16:59and I'll let you know if we keep getting complaints.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01All right? See you then.
0:17:01 > 0:17:06After two months of building up a history to this case,
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Craig and Siobhan can leave with an excellent result
0:17:09 > 0:17:12and no written notice needed to be served.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15I'm very satisfied with that resolution.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19I think that three weeks is a reasonable time for the complainant,
0:17:19 > 0:17:23for the person who's got the chickens to get rid of the cockerel,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26and I'm sure the complainant will be happy with that.
0:17:26 > 0:17:31I'm going to get in touch with them and ask them to keep me informed.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35Anymore problems I'm sure they'll let me know.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37It seems like Craig's got a result
0:17:37 > 0:17:40and I think it's fair to say he's a happy man.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44We don't want to put all our eggs in one basket to resolve the issue,
0:17:44 > 0:17:48but hopefully that should be the end of the matter.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Very good, Craig.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54Since his visit, this has become a case of cock-a-doodle don't.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57The noisy black cockerel has been re-homed.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02There have no further problems with the other one and no further action has been needed.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10All across Britain we spoke to people about nuisance noise
0:18:10 > 0:18:14and I think it's fair to say you've had an earful.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17It's the worst thing anyone can go through, definitely.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21The flat below us were having a party.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23Now, I heard growling noises, everything.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27I couldn't sleep until 7.00am. It was actually ridiculous.
0:18:27 > 0:18:34Loud music, barking dogs, noisy builders and howling alarms. You're fed up of hearing them all.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37It seems a bit more noisier in general,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40more time, like 24/7.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43I know a friend of mine had a really noisy neighbour,
0:18:43 > 0:18:47just a young lad who persistently had parties late at night.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51She had three children of her own, and she just couldn't stand it any longer.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54So she ended up putting the house up for sale and moving.
0:18:54 > 0:18:55Help is at hand though.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59Right. I just wanted to give you an update...
0:19:00 > 0:19:03We've just got another party we've got to go
0:19:03 > 0:19:06and deal with at the moment, then you're next on the list.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09Noise enforcement officers have more powers than the police
0:19:09 > 0:19:12when it comes to enforcing the law on nuisance noise.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14If I say to you I'm going to take it away,
0:19:14 > 0:19:18I'm not going to take it away, but I can, right? Whose speaker is it?
0:19:18 > 0:19:22So if you've got a problem, don't call the cops.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Pick up the phone and speak to your local council.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27They're here to help
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Right, we'll be with you in about ten minutes.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31OK, bye now.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41In Westminster, the Council's noise team
0:19:41 > 0:19:45dealt with over 18,000 complaints last year.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49And the team never know who or what they'll have to deal with.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51I was assaulted just recently.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55It was only what we call a common assault,
0:19:55 > 0:19:57just pushed over,
0:19:57 > 0:19:59but I felt really shocked.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02You think OK, right, this has happened, what do I do now?
0:20:02 > 0:20:05I've got to call the police,
0:20:05 > 0:20:07I've got to get out of this situation,
0:20:07 > 0:20:10get away to a place of safety.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Yeah, you just kind of go into training mode, I suppose.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17When we joined noise officer Steve Richardson on a busy nightshift
0:20:17 > 0:20:20he called in police backup to deal with one noisy neighbour.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24Can you open the door, please?
0:20:24 > 0:20:28But it was the following night when things really kicked off.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32This is, um, loud music,
0:20:32 > 0:20:37and we're just making sure I've got the correct address.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41It's loud music,
0:20:41 > 0:20:46a family have complained about loud music from another flat
0:20:46 > 0:20:49and we're going to go in. They've agreed that we can visit,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52we're going to go in and take a listen to the music from their flat.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55Before Steve confronts the noise maker
0:20:55 > 0:20:57he's going to check in with one of their neighbours
0:20:57 > 0:21:00to assess how bad the problem is.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04Once inside Steve can hear the music.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10How long has the music been playing?
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Since eight o'clock every weekend,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16apparently when the parents are not home.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20The teenagers, they do parties and all that.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23But the week before, here's what I used to do,
0:21:23 > 0:21:27I used to bang the floor just to make them stop.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31They stop for about half-an-hour then they start again.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34My children when they wake up in the morning,
0:21:34 > 0:21:38they always say, "Daddy we couldn't sleep tonight
0:21:38 > 0:21:41"because of the music and the noise downstairs."
0:21:41 > 0:21:44And the trouble is, sometimes they end up with a fight.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46Because they're teenagers they end up with a fight,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49they start shouting, they go outside the flat as well.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53I spoke to the occupier there before, they were OK,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56they turned it down at that time.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59That's right.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03The nuisance noise is having a big impact on this neighbours life.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06You know when I go to work I always feel stressed
0:22:06 > 0:22:09and I always feel angry at work.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14Is it possible that I could just take a quick listen in the bedroom?
0:22:14 > 0:22:20If the children are in there we won't disturb them but if I could...
0:22:20 > 0:22:23It's nearly two o'clock in the morning
0:22:23 > 0:22:27and Steve can hear the music in the children's bedroom.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31It's still clearly audible I'm unhappy about this.
0:22:31 > 0:22:36I remember they gave me the occupier's details last time,
0:22:36 > 0:22:41I'm absolutely certain I've got the occupier's details,
0:22:41 > 0:22:43we'll go and speak to them now.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50Hopefully we'll get the music turned off now.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54But at the very least, they will get a notice served on them.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58In Westminster, if Steve and his colleagues
0:22:58 > 0:23:02decide someone is responsible for making nuisance noise,
0:23:02 > 0:23:05they can serve them with a formal written notice.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11This means that a noise maker is legally obliged to quieten down.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16If the notice is ignored they could face prosecution.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Steve heads downstairs.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24- It's time to have a word with the person who's making such a racket. - OK.
0:23:24 > 0:23:29I'm happy there's a statutory nuisance there,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32so I'm going to go down and try and speak to the occupier.
0:23:36 > 0:23:41The last time Steve was here the music was turned off without any problems.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07After a few minutes wait, the noise maker comes to the door.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11- Good morning. Hello. - Hello.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14- I think we've met before, haven't we?- Who are you?
0:24:14 > 0:24:16I'm from the noise team at Westminster.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Our cameraman explains he's filming Steve.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22I want to announce myself to you. How about that?
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Hello.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26The noise maker might not care about her neighbours,
0:24:26 > 0:24:29but it seems she does care about being filmed
0:24:29 > 0:24:31behaving in an anti-social manner.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Listen, why don't you switch off?
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Because I will switch you off myself.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Steve decides to leave and as he does so,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40the noise maker attacks the cameraman.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43That's enough, that is enough.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46We're leaving now, we're leaving.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49- We're leaving now.- BLEEP BLEEP!
0:24:49 > 0:24:53- Get the- BLEEP- out of here NOW!
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Despite Steve's best efforts to calm the situation,
0:24:56 > 0:25:00things soon go from bad to worse as our cameraman tries to leave.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04Can we have police, please, someone's being assaulted.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08The cameraman was OK and undeterred,
0:25:08 > 0:25:12and when the police arrived, she was served with a written notice
0:25:12 > 0:25:16which seemed to do the trick. There were no further complaints,
0:25:16 > 0:25:20and for this night at least, peace and quiet was restored to the neighbourhood.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28Still to come on Noise Squad,
0:25:28 > 0:25:33in Belfast, noise enforcement officer David takes on a very big job.
0:25:33 > 0:25:38From my point of view it's a worst case scenario in terms of disturbance is what we need to look at.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40And there are serious consequences
0:25:40 > 0:25:44for a persistent nuisance noise maker.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46We've got this warrant today to enter the property,
0:25:46 > 0:25:49if need be by force, to take the equipment from them
0:25:49 > 0:25:52that they were using at the weekend for the offence.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01Last year, noise squads across the UK
0:26:01 > 0:26:04received tens of thousands of complaints.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08But they weren't all about loud music, barking dogs and noisy builders.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10Some cases are a little out of the ordinary,
0:26:10 > 0:26:12and it was in Belfast, where we joined David,
0:26:12 > 0:26:18for what was probably the biggest and most unique job we saw any officer do.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24Belfast has been selected as one of 21 Live Sites
0:26:24 > 0:26:27run by local councils and the BBC.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32These sites will have a permanent screen to promote the 2012 Olympics,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34the BBC and local council initiatives.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38This is the big screen over here, they're setting up at the moment,
0:26:38 > 0:26:40I'm meeting a representative of the BBC,
0:26:40 > 0:26:42who's going to be doing the sound checks with us.
0:26:42 > 0:26:47Broadcasts are planned to run from seven in the morning until 11 at night.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50David's job today is to agree the acceptable volume.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54It would be a bit tricky if the council started getting complaints
0:26:54 > 0:26:56about their own sound system!
0:26:56 > 0:27:03From my point of view, a worst case scenario in terms of disturbance is what we need to look at.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06We'll turn it on and you can see what you think.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Larger music and sporting events will be screened at a much louder level
0:27:09 > 0:27:12than news and general information broadcasts,
0:27:12 > 0:27:14so David does readings for both.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17First, a news broadcast.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20NEWSREADER SPEAKS
0:27:25 > 0:27:29The ambiance of background noise varies greatly with the location
0:27:29 > 0:27:30and is measured in decibels.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34A busy street is around 70 decibels.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37A quiet room at night is 20 decibels.
0:27:37 > 0:27:42And a pneumatic drill is 120 decibels.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45As the square is surrounded by offices, David's concern today
0:27:45 > 0:27:49is the acceptable level of noise in an office when the screen is in use.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51My colleague here is on the phone to
0:27:51 > 0:27:54one of the officers in the office just next to the screen.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58They're giving the thumbs up that the level it's at at the moment
0:27:58 > 0:28:02isn't too loud, they can't really hear it at all, which is good.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05We're going to go and put on some music now so we can have
0:28:05 > 0:28:07a listen to a different type of noise from the screen.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11There will be different types of events, so we want to get a good feel
0:28:11 > 0:28:17for what's the worst case scenario in relation to whether it's speech or drama or music.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26The screen's at a level that's being operated
0:28:26 > 0:28:28on a day in day out normal level.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32There will be special events where the screen will be much louder.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35Generally, the officer in the City Hall here is saying that
0:28:35 > 0:28:37that level's acceptable at the minute,
0:28:37 > 0:28:39but any louder would be too loud.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42So I think probably in terms of daytime events,
0:28:42 > 0:28:45that's going to be as loud as we're able to have it.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48However, just to make sure that we know what the impact would be
0:28:48 > 0:28:51if we were having evening events or something like that, we'll go in now,
0:28:51 > 0:28:54take a quick sound level measurement,
0:28:54 > 0:28:57and put the screen on basically at the top level.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01Belfast City Hall is the perfect place to carry out the test.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05It's the closest big building to the location of the screen
0:29:05 > 0:29:06and has lots of offices.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09This one belongs to a big cheese, the Town Solicitor
0:29:09 > 0:29:11and Assistant Chief Executive!
0:29:11 > 0:29:14Let's hope David minds his Ps and Qs.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17We've got them to put on the screen at its loudest setting,
0:29:17 > 0:29:20so we know what the noise level's likely to sound in special events.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22Hello, Kevin? It's David here.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25Do you want to put the event level on, and we can do a quick check?
0:29:25 > 0:29:28David gets the screen played at full volume.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32The exec listens in on the test.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34No pressure then, David!
0:29:34 > 0:29:37- It's not like that during the day, is it?- No, no, no.
0:29:37 > 0:29:44I wouldn't want to have a serious meeting about some boring subject and be bopping around to Status Quo.
0:29:54 > 0:29:59In terms of sound level measurement, it's 52 decibels.
0:29:59 > 0:30:07A guideline level for an executive office is sort of around 35 as a good level, so...
0:30:09 > 0:30:14So you couldn't really do too much work with that going on all day probably.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17So with the level for special events too loud for office hours,
0:30:17 > 0:30:20David updates the technician.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23We're running it at event level and that...
0:30:23 > 0:30:25It was very clear in there.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27And at this level, normal level.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30At the normal level you can just about hear it, you know.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32So it's acceptable?
0:30:32 > 0:30:34Acceptable, uh huh.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38The normal level is fine, just loud enough for an audience to hear broadcasts
0:30:38 > 0:30:39above the sounds of the city
0:30:39 > 0:30:42but without disturbing the neighbours.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45This is the level they've agreed it can be at during the day
0:30:45 > 0:30:48which we've confirmed is acceptable in the offices nearby.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50There will be special events in the evenings,
0:30:50 > 0:30:54but those will have special agreements and special planning involved.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56If we get complaints in the future we'll have to review.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58Just as a final thing,
0:30:58 > 0:31:01I'm going to take a quick walk along the far side of the square,
0:31:01 > 0:31:05to make sure the noise over there, at its current level, isn't an issue.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06But I don't think it will be.
0:31:06 > 0:31:12Before David can take these final readings he's going to have to do a spot of negotiating.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16I think I'll have to ask this guy to stop playing so we can hear the screen.
0:31:16 > 0:31:21Which means I'll have to probably pay him.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25Hello, can I just ask you just to stop for a wee moment,
0:31:25 > 0:31:29- so we can hear the screen, is that OK? Yeah?- No play?
0:31:29 > 0:31:33- Just two minutes, OK?- Give me two minutes, please, please.
0:31:36 > 0:31:42Can I ask you to stop, I just want to hear this big TV screen.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44David then checks in the street.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51And inside a nearby business.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54I'll take a walk into the shop here just to see if I can hear it inside.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57I don't think I will be able to, it's very low.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02No, you can't hear it at all inside, so that's good,
0:32:02 > 0:32:05so it seems to be OK at that level, so I'll just ring the engineers
0:32:05 > 0:32:07and tell them they can finish the test now.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11David's happy that the levels are set correctly.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15There shouldn't be any complaints to the council, about the council.
0:32:15 > 0:32:16Job done!
0:32:22 > 0:32:25When noise officers go to deal with noise makers
0:32:25 > 0:32:29they're often met with very different responses.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32Some people are helpful and co-operative.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35I'm here about the level of noise coming from your property,
0:32:35 > 0:32:38it's nearly quarter to... quarter to four in the morning.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41- No problem at all, man.- All right?
0:32:41 > 0:32:43I'm sorry about that.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46Some are a little less so.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48Can I take your name?
0:32:48 > 0:32:50No, I'm not prepared to give you my name.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52Right, OK.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56And a few, despite the best efforts of the officers,
0:32:56 > 0:32:58won't even open their door.
0:32:59 > 0:33:04- It's the Council's noise service.- Who?- It's the Council.
0:33:04 > 0:33:08- Who?- The Council noise service.- Who?
0:33:08 > 0:33:13Whatever reaction they're met with, officers always get their point across
0:33:13 > 0:33:17and make sure the noise maker knows exactly what they have to do.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20We would like the music off. Off, now.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22And we won't leave until the music is off.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26It's a legal requirement, to turn the music down. If we come back tonight it's £100 fine.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29If you're going to have loud music in here,
0:33:29 > 0:33:32you'll have to have the doors and the windows closed.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34Otherwise, what you could find
0:33:34 > 0:33:36if you've got music coming out at this level,
0:33:36 > 0:33:39you could either have a noise abatement notice served on you,
0:33:39 > 0:33:44and we could also look for getting a review of your premises' licence as well.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47Every council has someone in their environmental health team
0:33:47 > 0:33:51who deals with complaints about nuisance noise.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54So if you want to avoid a knock at the door from a noise officer,
0:33:54 > 0:33:56here are some simple steps to follow.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00If you're having a party, let your neighbours know
0:34:00 > 0:34:02and maybe give them an invite.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04Keep your windows and doors closed,
0:34:04 > 0:34:07and play music at a sensible level.
0:34:07 > 0:34:08If you're going on holiday,
0:34:08 > 0:34:11leave the keys with someone you trust
0:34:11 > 0:34:15and register those details on your council's keyholder database.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17And if you've got a dog
0:34:17 > 0:34:19make sure it's not constantly barking in the home,
0:34:19 > 0:34:23particularly when you're not there.
0:34:23 > 0:34:28It sounds easy and it is easy and if you follow these simple steps
0:34:28 > 0:34:31you won't be getting calls like this.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34- Can you get me someone who lives here?- I live here.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38Go and turn the music down and then come back and talk to me.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40Don't say you weren't warned.
0:34:46 > 0:34:51We've saved the biggest cause of complaints to nuisance noise teams until last.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54And I bet you can all guess what that is.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57That's right, noisy neighbours.
0:34:57 > 0:34:58That is very loud.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00Whether it was during the day...
0:35:04 > 0:35:05..or late at night
0:35:05 > 0:35:08You look out into the back garden, see flashing lights,
0:35:08 > 0:35:11maybe a dozen people dancing,
0:35:11 > 0:35:14all having their own disco in the back garden on the lawn.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18We were with officers as they cracked down on people disturbing
0:35:18 > 0:35:21their neighbours and keeping them awake past their bedtime.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25Come to the door.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27If you then go upstairs and do the same thing,
0:35:27 > 0:35:29you will be committing an offence.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33- If you say so.- I do say so.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36In most cases, a quiet word, written warning
0:35:36 > 0:35:39or noise abatement notice usually does the trick.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41But when people just won't put a sock in it,
0:35:41 > 0:35:46officers have the power to confiscate noisy equipment to quieten things down.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49If you're in there, we've got a warrant to enter the property,
0:35:49 > 0:35:51we'll come in if you don't answer the door.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55He was quite lucky cos he managed to convince me I shouldn't take everything.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59On a Friday night we joined noise enforcement officer Helen Howlett
0:35:59 > 0:36:02and her colleague Fiona as a complaint came in,
0:36:02 > 0:36:06which led to serious consequences for a noisy neighbour.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08Is the nuisance still happening?
0:36:08 > 0:36:12A local resident claims they are being kept awake
0:36:12 > 0:36:15by what they think is a karaoke party in a neighbouring flat.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17We'll be with you in about ten minutes.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19OK. Bye now.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22Helen and Fiona head off to investigate.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26And it seems this isn't the first time
0:36:26 > 0:36:28they've had to deal with this noise maker.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30We've found in this case,
0:36:30 > 0:36:33we've already served abatement notices on the tenants
0:36:33 > 0:36:36at the property that is allegedly causing the noise.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40The notices refer to preventing nuisance from loud, amplified music
0:36:40 > 0:36:43so depending on what we find,
0:36:43 > 0:36:47it may be we're witnessing a breach of the abatement notice.
0:36:50 > 0:36:55This is serious stuff. An abatement notice is a legal document.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58It's served on people making nuisance noise
0:36:58 > 0:37:01that's been witnessed first hand by noise officers.
0:37:01 > 0:37:06If it's breached the team can seize the possessions that are making the nuisance noise
0:37:06 > 0:37:11and the noise maker also risks being taken to court and fined.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16When they arrive at the property Helen and Fiona head inside.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19The complainant is a bit camera shy
0:37:19 > 0:37:22but after having a chat and monitoring the noise
0:37:22 > 0:37:25the team come back with an update.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27We heard loud, amplified music.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30It was clearly at a level that would prevent sleep,
0:37:30 > 0:37:32and it was preventing sleep.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34The occupier was woken up by the noise
0:37:34 > 0:37:37and couldn't get back to sleep.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40The level in the bedroom was sufficient to be a statutory nuisance
0:37:40 > 0:37:42and as we've served an abatement notice
0:37:42 > 0:37:44preventing further statutory nuisance,
0:37:44 > 0:37:48we've actually witnessed a breach of the abatement notice this evening.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51The complainant didn't want a fuss
0:37:51 > 0:37:55and asked Helen and Fiona not to confront their neighbours tonight.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58But having witnessed a breach of the abatement notice
0:37:58 > 0:38:00they will be taking action.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04We may decide to do a seizure of the noise making equipment
0:38:04 > 0:38:05that was used this evening,
0:38:05 > 0:38:10to prevent any further breach of the abatement notice, that's an option.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14Or we could process the case with a view to prosecution
0:38:14 > 0:38:17without doing a seizure. We'll make that decision,
0:38:17 > 0:38:21we'll discuss it with our manager back in the office, on Monday,
0:38:21 > 0:38:25and take the most appropriate course of action for the case.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28Back in the office the team write up their notes.
0:38:28 > 0:38:33The decision about what to do next will be made in the coming days.
0:38:36 > 0:38:41The following week Helen heads out from the noise squad headquarters with two colleagues.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44The team have been dealing with this case for some time now,
0:38:44 > 0:38:48and have decided to confiscate the equipment that's making the noise.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51It's a decision that hasn't been taken lightly
0:38:51 > 0:38:54and is now being carried out.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56In this particular case,
0:38:56 > 0:38:58the individuals have had a number of warnings,
0:38:58 > 0:39:00both verbal and letters.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03They will have had a letter explaining the abatement notice
0:39:03 > 0:39:05when the abatement notice was served,
0:39:05 > 0:39:08and explaining the consequences of breaching the notice.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11We've had a near breach, and we have sent reminder letters to them,
0:39:11 > 0:39:16reminding them about the abatement notice requirement,
0:39:16 > 0:39:19so they've certainly had a good number of warnings from us.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22Whenever the team carry out a seizure
0:39:22 > 0:39:27they always get police back up to make sure things don't get out of hand
0:39:27 > 0:39:29and before they go in Helen gives them a briefing.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33We've got this warrant to enter the property, if need be by force,
0:39:33 > 0:39:38to take the equipment from them that they were using for the offence,
0:39:38 > 0:39:39which we think is karaoke,
0:39:39 > 0:39:42probably games machines, CDs, that kind of thing.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45Helen's also called in a joiner in case no-one's home
0:39:45 > 0:39:48and they have to gain access to the property.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50We've spoken to the police,
0:39:50 > 0:39:53we've got the joiner on hand so we're now all ready to go.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56We believe there's somebody in the flat anyway,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59but we're going to go round, knock, explain what we're doing,
0:39:59 > 0:40:02why we're doing it, hopefully they'll let us in.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06If not, we've got the joiner and we're going to enter under warrant anyway.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11With everyone up to speed it's time to move in.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14Helen knocks on the door.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19The warrant gives the noise squad the power to seize anything
0:40:19 > 0:40:22that could have been used in the party to make the nuisance noise.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24My name's Helen Howlett,
0:40:24 > 0:40:27I 'm from York Council, Environmental Protection Officer.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30We're here regarding breach of an abatement notice, so you're...
0:40:30 > 0:40:33- You what?- An abatement notice that's been served on you.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35We're here today to seize some equipment
0:40:35 > 0:40:38because of an offence committed over the weekend.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41Helen cautions the occupant of the flat and the team move in.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43So, you have to let us in.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50Even though the police are present
0:40:50 > 0:40:54seizing people's equipment is always a tense job.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57In this instance there are no real problems
0:40:57 > 0:40:59and around half-an-hour later the job's done.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02It's difficult to say what a typical reaction is.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Some people go very quiet and compliant
0:41:04 > 0:41:06and let you get on with it.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09Some people want to argue with you against everything,
0:41:09 > 0:41:10sometimes there's a happy medium.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12It really depends.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19Helen and the team head to the noise squad's lock up
0:41:19 > 0:41:22to log the equipment and store it.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26One, two, three, four, five. Five it should be.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28Five bags and a...
0:41:28 > 0:41:32- Five bags and a speaker.- Yeah.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36The noise makers will be invited in to the noise squad's HQ
0:41:36 > 0:41:39and given a chance to give their side of their story.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42Helen's happy that it's been a job well done.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45I'm pleased that we have managed to get the equipment from them.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47I hope that's given a clear message
0:41:47 > 0:41:51that they're not to cause another nuisance, breach of the abatement notice.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54Hopefully this weekend, and the evenings in between now and then,
0:41:54 > 0:41:59the other residents will have peace and quiet in the evenings rather than have to put up with the noise
0:41:59 > 0:42:02that they were having to do so before.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05The occupants of the flat have since been interviewed.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09The equipment remains in the council's possession
0:42:09 > 0:42:11and to date no further complaints have been received
0:42:11 > 0:42:15about nuisance noise coming from the property.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26We've had a busy time with the noise squad.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28We've seen them deal with noisy parties.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31I want it turned off externally and taken inside.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33Persistent noise makers.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36If you're in there, we've got a warrant to enter the property
0:42:36 > 0:42:39so we'll come in if you don't answer the door.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41And the call of the wild.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44COCK CROWS
0:42:44 > 0:42:45Well, wildish!
0:42:45 > 0:42:49There's no let up in the battle against anti-social nuisance noise
0:42:49 > 0:42:53and plenty more cases still to be dealt with by the noise squad.
0:43:18 > 0:43:21Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:21 > 0:43:25E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk