0:00:03 > 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 > 0:00:13It's the worst thing anyone can go through.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16It's just something that just goes on and on and on.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Persistent parties...
0:00:18 > 0:00:21aggravating alarms...
0:00:21 > 0:00:24and banging builders.
0:00:24 > 0:00:25They're keeping us awake,
0:00:25 > 0:00:29disturbing our peace and quiet and driving us to despair...
0:00:29 > 0:00:32It really is stressful and irritating.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34It's just a nightmare.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36..but the fight-back is on.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39You'll need to come down, we're getting complaints about the noise.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Across the country, dedicated enforcement teams
0:00:42 > 0:00:46are getting to grips with nuisance noise, 24/7.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49We're serving a notice on you, this means if you continue
0:00:49 > 0:00:53this noise we'll come back with the police and £100 fine.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55What's your proposed action? Seize the alarm clock, maybe?
0:00:55 > 0:00:58- I'm seizing anything that makes noise.- Really?- Yeah.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03Enough is enough. It's time to put an end to nuisance noise.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06If you're going to have loud music, you'll have to close the doors.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10Otherwise, it could mean as much as losing the licence.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14It's time to meet the no-nonsense Noise Squad.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Coming up today on Noise Squad,
0:01:29 > 0:01:33neighbours are driven to distraction by a mysterious night-time noise.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36We've put up with it for ages and ages,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39tried to investigate where it's coming from,
0:01:39 > 0:01:41all to no avail, really.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45A car alarm tests the patience of residents...
0:01:45 > 0:01:49- I want to actually put an axe through the bonnet.- Yeah.
0:01:49 > 0:01:50That's exactly how I feel.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53..and noise officers have to proceed with caution
0:01:53 > 0:01:56on a call-out to a rowdy party.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59We need to speak to the noise makers
0:01:59 > 0:02:01and try and assess whether...
0:02:01 > 0:02:03How aggressive they might be.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16York, the county town of Yorkshire,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19is home to almost 200,000 people.
0:02:19 > 0:02:24And, like other cities across the UK, when the weekend comes round
0:02:24 > 0:02:27the number of complaints about nuisance noise often goes up.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35Ian Gray has been working for the council's Noise Squad for five years
0:02:35 > 0:02:37and has seen it all. From loud parties...
0:02:37 > 0:02:40- It's late, so try and wind things down.- I've turned the music off.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42- Parties don't stop till six. - Appreciate that.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46..to barking dogs...
0:02:46 > 0:02:48DOG BARKS
0:02:48 > 0:02:52..and howling house alarms...
0:02:52 > 0:02:53ALARM STOPS
0:02:53 > 0:02:55Peace and quiet at last.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57It's Saturday night
0:02:57 > 0:03:02and Ian's been called to investigate a mysterious noise.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06The guy's complained that he's been hearing this noise intermittently,
0:03:06 > 0:03:08sometimes it's there for days on end.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12Then it would go off. It's been going for the last couple of days,
0:03:12 > 0:03:14like a high-pitched buzz, if you like.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Doesn't know where it's from.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19We do occasionally find people can be a little sensitive
0:03:19 > 0:03:23about noises which we can't deal with,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26the sort of low-frequency hum that only they can hear.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29If it's fairly low level noise,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32it's unlikely to be a nuisance during the day time.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36In theory, it's more likely to be a nuisance at night
0:03:36 > 0:03:39if it's loud enough to be capable of disturbing sleep.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42As Ian arrives, Alan, who called to complain,
0:03:42 > 0:03:44shows him to his back garden
0:03:44 > 0:03:47and the problem sound can clearly be heard.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50But what is it?
0:03:50 > 0:03:52SHRILL BEEPING
0:03:53 > 0:03:59It's a very, sort of, high-pitched, intermittent noise.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Can't really tell what it is, or where it's from at the moment.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07If we can get over that way, somewhere,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10we might have a better idea of working out where it's from.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Normally the cause of nuisance noise is obvious,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15but this is an odd one.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18Potentially, it could be one of those...
0:04:18 > 0:04:20Used as a cat deterrent.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24I've heard of people using, sort of, high-frequency noise before,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27they're put in the gardens to try and deter cats.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32We've put up with it for ages and ages,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35we've tried to investigate where it's coming from,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38all to no avail, really. But then, suddenly it would just disappear
0:04:38 > 0:04:40and everything's quiet for...
0:04:40 > 0:04:44It can be four or five days, sometimes a week or more.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Then suddenly it appears again.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49Some of my older colleagues and friends that come round,
0:04:49 > 0:04:51they say they can't hear it
0:04:51 > 0:04:54which means it's probably too high a frequency.
0:04:54 > 0:05:00But it's got to the point, now, where it really does grate on you.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06It's still not immediately obvious what the property is
0:05:06 > 0:05:10where the noise is coming from, so I'm going to have a drive round,
0:05:10 > 0:05:13see if I can identify which piece of land it is,
0:05:13 > 0:05:15and, therefore, what's actually making the noise.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Ian's got a busy night ahead of him
0:05:18 > 0:05:21and isn't going to pussyfoot around with this complaint.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24It doesn't take him long
0:05:24 > 0:05:28to track down which property the sound is coming from.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32Each council approaches nuisance noise slightly differently.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36Here in York, if Ian or his colleagues witness a problem,
0:05:36 > 0:05:38they can issue a verbal warning.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42If needs be they can then hand out written notices
0:05:42 > 0:05:44and if the noise maker still won't pipe down,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47they could be prosecuted in the magistrates court
0:05:47 > 0:05:49and fined.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54As luck would have it, the homeowner arrives home.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57Hopefully he can shed some light on this mystery.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02- Evening. Ian Gray from York Council Noise Patrol.- Yeah?
0:06:02 > 0:06:05I'm just looking around to investigate
0:06:05 > 0:06:06a noise complaint, at the moment.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09It's like a high-pitched noise which you can hear.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Oh, there is something.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13I'm trying to identify whose garden it's in.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17I can hear it, around here somewhere.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Can we just have a bit of a walk down there?
0:06:19 > 0:06:21It might give me a bit more of an indication
0:06:21 > 0:06:23as to where it might be from.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25A quick scout around the garden
0:06:25 > 0:06:27reveals the source of the mystery noise.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29SHRILL BEEPING
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Ah!
0:06:33 > 0:06:35BEEPING CONTINUES
0:06:36 > 0:06:37Is it...?
0:06:37 > 0:06:41I'll just let you know, I've identified what the noise is.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46- Do you want to explain what this is to me?- That's a cat scarer.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48Well, I thought it might be.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50This is what's making the noise.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52SHRILL BEEPING
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- I can't hear that. - You can't hear that, now?
0:06:55 > 0:06:58The homeowner is oblivious to the noise
0:06:58 > 0:07:00that his ultrasonic cat-repeller is making.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04As we get older, we hear less and less higher frequencies
0:07:04 > 0:07:09so it is possible to be unaware of a noise that others can hear clearly.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Too clearly, in this case!
0:07:12 > 0:07:15I'm stood here now and I... It's very noisy.
0:07:15 > 0:07:16- Is it?- It is.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18So I'm going to have to say, obviously,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21you're going to have to stop using this
0:07:21 > 0:07:23because the high-frequency level is such that,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26having listened in the complainant's garden, it would be enough to be
0:07:26 > 0:07:30what I would call a statutory nuisance in the afternoon.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32So, I'm switching it off.
0:07:32 > 0:07:33BEEPING STOPS
0:07:33 > 0:07:35Peace and quiet again.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37So I don't know whether it's faulty,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39whether it's supposed to be quiet like that.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41- Yeah, I've had it about three years.- Right.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44- Cos it's...- You can't hear it now? - No, it's now switched off.
0:07:44 > 0:07:45Nothing at all.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49What I'll have to do anyway, following this,
0:07:49 > 0:07:53I'll just send you a letter to confirm that we've had a complaint
0:07:53 > 0:07:56and what we've found here, and you might be able to let me know
0:07:56 > 0:08:00whether you've found an alternative cat deterrent, or something.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03Cos obviously, it would deter me from the garden as well, that would!
0:08:03 > 0:08:06I would suggest keeping it switched off at the moment.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08You'll have to try and chase them off some other way.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12It's been there at least three years, you know...
0:08:12 > 0:08:13No complaints.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17I'll have to leave it switched off and take a chance on the cats.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Satisfying result, finding out where the noise was coming from
0:08:20 > 0:08:22and being able to sort it out as quickly as that.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25So, time to go and deal with some noisy parties, now.
0:08:25 > 0:08:30Problem solved. Ian's a happy man and this case is closed.
0:08:33 > 0:08:34Ian might have got a result here
0:08:34 > 0:08:38but he's got a busy Saturday night ahead of him.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41OK, can I get some more details? Where's the noise coming from?
0:08:41 > 0:08:44A resident is hoping he can put an end to a party
0:08:44 > 0:08:47which she says is keeping her awake.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49Out the back shouting, and laughing.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51It's really annoying when you're trying to get to sleep.
0:09:03 > 0:09:08All over the country, quiet streets like this...
0:09:08 > 0:09:10and this...
0:09:10 > 0:09:13are being disturbed by sounds like this...
0:09:13 > 0:09:15ALARM BEEPS
0:09:15 > 0:09:17- ALARM HONKS - ..and this.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19ALARM WAILS
0:09:19 > 0:09:21Faulty alarms that just won't stop
0:09:21 > 0:09:26and drive people up the beeping wall are an illegal nuisance.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28And when it comes to dealing with nuisance noise,
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Anuja Jayawickrema isn't a woman to be messed with.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34We would like the music off.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37If we catch you working, drilling and things,
0:09:37 > 0:09:38we will prosecute you.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41Anuja's worked for Westminster Council's Noise Squad
0:09:41 > 0:09:45for nearly seven years and at 8.30 on a Saturday morning
0:09:45 > 0:09:48she's heading out to track down a car alarm
0:09:48 > 0:09:51that's ruining the start of someone's weekend.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53I'm going to have a look for a car,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56because the complainant's not sure where the car is.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59She's not even sure if it's in her road.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03So, hopefully it'll still be sounding when I get there...
0:10:04 > 0:10:06..and have a look.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10Last year, the Westminster Noise Squad received
0:10:10 > 0:10:13over 200 complaints about beeping car alarms
0:10:13 > 0:10:17and Anuja knows that they can drive people around the bend.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20Some people get so angry when the alarms just don't stop,
0:10:20 > 0:10:24they'll go out there write notes, leave notes,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27saying, "Stop your bleep car alarm."
0:10:27 > 0:10:30That's what noise does, it drives you mad sometimes.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32As Anuja arrives in the area
0:10:32 > 0:10:36where the car with the problem alarm is alleged to be,
0:10:36 > 0:10:40it doesn't take her long to hear that it's still going.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Ah-ha, I can hear it. ALARM BLARES
0:10:44 > 0:10:47Finding it, though, is a slightly trickier task.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49It's stopped! Dear, oh, dear, oh, dear.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Where is the alarm?
0:10:52 > 0:10:55ALARM BLARES Oh, there it is. Is that it?
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Right, the noise is getting...
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Going away from the noise. And I'm going to annoy this taxi now.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07I wonder if it's that van. It can't be that van, can it?
0:11:07 > 0:11:11You see where the flashing lights...? No, it's in there.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Having found the car, Anuja goes to investigate further
0:11:14 > 0:11:17and is met by a group of seriously hacked-off local residents.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Hello.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24Oh, you've already got... I'm from Westminster Council.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27They show Anuja the written notice that was served on the car
0:11:27 > 0:11:30by one of her colleagues last night, legally obliging the owners
0:11:30 > 0:11:33to shut off the alarm. But with no owner in sight,
0:11:33 > 0:11:36it had to be left on the windscreen.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40There must be a way of getting rid of this car.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43The neighbours think the offending car belongs to a diplomat
0:11:43 > 0:11:45and that's a bit of a problem.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49Oh, they're diplomats' cars, you see. We're not allowed to break into them.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53No, no. So, um...
0:11:53 > 0:11:55ALARM DROWNS OUT SPEECH
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Yeah.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00This is a real car-alarmity.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03The residents tell Anuja that this hellish honk
0:12:03 > 0:12:05has been going on and off for days.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10In Westminster, any car alarm that's faulty
0:12:10 > 0:12:13and sounds for more than five minutes in any fifteen minute period
0:12:13 > 0:12:16is considered to be a nuisance.
0:12:16 > 0:12:21Once a warning notice is served, the owner has one hour to turn it off.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24If they don't, the noise officer can break into the car
0:12:24 > 0:12:28to turn it off and the owner will have to foot the bill.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Unfortunately, though, as this vehicle seems to belong
0:12:31 > 0:12:34to a foreign diplomat who is immune to UK laws,
0:12:34 > 0:12:36Anuja's hands could be tied
0:12:36 > 0:12:40when it comes to getting this noise turned off quickly.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44Understandably, the residents have reached the end of their tether.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48The previous night, it was there, on, when we went to bed
0:12:48 > 0:12:50and then eventually I did get to sleep.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54But then this morning it's woken me up at half past five,
0:12:54 > 0:12:56between five and half past five,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59and I knew it was somewhere round here,
0:12:59 > 0:13:01and it has kept me awake ever since then.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05I mean, it's just non-stop terrible...experience.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- I want to put an axe through the bonnet.- Yeah.
0:13:11 > 0:13:12That's exactly how I feel.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15Madam, I don't blame you.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18The Council cannot break into a diplomat's car.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20No, but you can tow it away.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23That would be a last resort. We're not allowed to touch them.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25You don't have to touch it, just shackle it up,
0:13:25 > 0:13:27haul it on to a lorry and park it on...
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Well, I would have to get authorisation
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- from somebody higher above. - Paperwork. Just do it.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35I'll have to phone the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38If you don't, somebody's going to do something to it.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40The residents are understandably upset
0:13:40 > 0:13:44but Anuja has to make sure she sticks to the rules.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48She wants to sort this nightmare noise, though, and has had an idea.
0:13:48 > 0:13:49I've just thought of something.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52To check whether the doors are shut properly.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56Because sometimes a simple thing like that can stop the alarm.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01No signs that the windows have been opened.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05As Anuja begins to test the doors, good news arrives.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09A staff member from the embassy has been informed of the problem
0:14:09 > 0:14:12and has come to disconnect the car battery.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14- Is this your car?- Yeah.- Ah!
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Lovely. I'm from Westminster Council. The neighbours are up in arms.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22I know, that's why you see I'm here to switch the battery off.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27But experience has taught Anuja that this may not be the solution.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Some cars have a separate alarm to the battery.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33Having stopped the racket with the key, the embassy staff member
0:14:33 > 0:14:35also disconnects the car battery.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38We can't disconnect alarms on diplomat cars.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42Anuja gives him the written notice that was served last night,
0:14:42 > 0:14:45takes his details and tells him to stick around
0:14:45 > 0:14:48to make sure that the awful noise is off for good.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50What I would like you to do is to stay a while,
0:14:50 > 0:14:54because it could come on even after 10, 20 minutes.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56If it comes back on, we have a locksmith
0:14:56 > 0:14:59who could certainly try and help you, talk you through what to do.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04With calm and quiet at last restored to this neighbourhood,
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Anuja phones the lady who called in to complain
0:15:07 > 0:15:08to give her the good news.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11It's a car that belongs to the Diplomatic Service,
0:15:11 > 0:15:15and one of the workers has just turned up to disconnect the alarm.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18So he's going to wait a while to see if it does start again,
0:15:18 > 0:15:20but hopefully that will stop the noise.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Obviously, if it does start again, give us a call back straight away.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26It's a good morning's work for Anuja.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29The car alarm stayed off and there was no need for further action.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32This case is closed.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35This complaint may have been resolved without too much fuss,
0:15:35 > 0:15:37but when she goes to confiscate
0:15:37 > 0:15:41a persistent nuisance noise offender's possessions,
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Anuja has to get tough.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45The onus falls on you,
0:15:45 > 0:15:48because you have been notified by us many a time that there is a problem.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03In York, noise officer Ian Gray is on a busy Saturday night shift.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09He's on his way to deal with an alleged noisy party.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Last year the City of York Council's Noise Squad
0:16:12 > 0:16:15received around 2,500 complaints
0:16:15 > 0:16:19and over half of those were complaints about noisy neighbours.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22Probably about 15 to 20 people there, loud music,
0:16:22 > 0:16:26lots of shouting, all that kind of thing going on.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29The complainant says the same thing happened last week
0:16:29 > 0:16:33and it went on until about 1.30 in the morning.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36So we'll go out there and see what kind of reception we get,
0:16:36 > 0:16:40see how much noise there is. Music can be a nuisance any time of day.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43It's more likely to be classed as a nuisance later on at night,
0:16:43 > 0:16:47which affects sleep, and we are getting on now
0:16:47 > 0:16:51towards 11 o'clock at night, so there's a bit of scope for us
0:16:51 > 0:16:53to say to them, "Look, start winding things down,
0:16:53 > 0:16:55"another quarter of an hour,"
0:16:55 > 0:16:58and we can see what we think of the levels when we get there.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01In order to be able to take action against noise makers,
0:17:01 > 0:17:04officers have to witness a problem first hand.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11If they think the situation deserves it, Ian and his colleagues
0:17:11 > 0:17:13can hand out a written abatement notice
0:17:13 > 0:17:16which means the noise maker has to quieten down
0:17:16 > 0:17:19or face potential prosecution and a fine.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24When Ian arrives, the first job is to check the noise
0:17:24 > 0:17:27from the complainant's home.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30How's the volume at the moment, compared to when you called?
0:17:30 > 0:17:33It's up and down slightly, to be honest.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35It'll go quiet and then start really noisy again
0:17:35 > 0:17:38and then they put the music back on
0:17:38 > 0:17:40and it's turned down a bit, then they put it back up again.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43One of the other things is that they hammer on the door,
0:17:43 > 0:17:46slam the door every time. I don't mind once or twice,
0:17:46 > 0:17:48but when it's constant it's really annoying.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Clearly they're upset with the noise.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54So how loud has the music been when you called earlier on?
0:17:54 > 0:17:58I wouldn't say the music was loud, it was more the noise of the people.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01The amount of people there, to be honest, there's a lot of noise.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- There's a number of them, there. - There has been, yeah.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07And it's just every Saturday. It's getting worse.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Obviously, you don't want anybody not to enjoy themselves,
0:18:10 > 0:18:12but when it's midnight, one o'clock, after that,
0:18:12 > 0:18:15and they're out the back shouting and shrieking and laughing,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18it's really annoying when you're trying to get to sleep.
0:18:18 > 0:18:19What would you normally be doing?
0:18:19 > 0:18:22- Listening to the television? - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25Could you turn it on to the volume you'd normally listen to it?
0:18:27 > 0:18:30I think it's probably fairly easy to watch telly at the moment
0:18:30 > 0:18:32without it really interfering too much.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Fairly soon it's going to be time
0:18:34 > 0:18:37when you would probably expect to be going to sleep.
0:18:37 > 0:18:38If that noise is affecting you
0:18:38 > 0:18:42where you're going to be sleeping, then I'd assess in a different way.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46If it's OK, I'll just have a quick listen upstairs, so I can see what...
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Ian goes upstairs to monitor the level of noise
0:18:49 > 0:18:51from one of the bedrooms.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Certainly a lot more noticeable up here,
0:18:55 > 0:18:57possibly at these kind of levels...
0:18:57 > 0:18:59might be enough to disturb.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02Just have a quick look, see if I can see anything.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05The level of the music isn't too loud.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09It's the people in the garden that are keeping this family awake.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12So the noise upstairs is a lot more noticeable than downstairs,
0:19:12 > 0:19:16quite a few people seem to be sat outside drinking, talking.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19The time now, 11 o'clock,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22the kind of time where you expect people to be getting to sleep.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26I'm just going to pop round, have a word with them,
0:19:26 > 0:19:29tell them there's been a complaint, and ask them...
0:19:29 > 0:19:31Obviously if you're going to be going upstairs,
0:19:31 > 0:19:34the chances are, if they bring the party inside...
0:19:34 > 0:19:37There's no music, so if they bring it inside, just occasionally...
0:19:37 > 0:19:39if they're going out smoking, fine.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41Hopefully we should be able to reduce the noise
0:19:41 > 0:19:44by bringing the party in, and no music and things.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47That should be enough. So we'll give that a try and see what they say.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49Thanks.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Ian goes to visit the party and lay down the law.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00DOOR BELL RINGS
0:20:00 > 0:20:03After a while, someone comes to the door.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05< SHOUTING
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- Hi. Ian Gray, York Council Noise Patrol.- OK.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12I just wanted a quick chat with the tenants living here.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Yep, bear with me, two seconds.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17The person holding the party comes to see Ian
0:20:17 > 0:20:19and he explains what action he'll be taking.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21OK, what we're going to do is just send you a letter
0:20:21 > 0:20:24confirming we've been round today, and we've had a complaint.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26That basically outlines what the law is
0:20:26 > 0:20:28and just confirms what we've said today.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32So, nothing's likely to happen if you keep things quiet.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34If we got further complaints, came out and found
0:20:34 > 0:20:37that the noise is enough to be a statutory nuisance
0:20:37 > 0:20:39you could have a noise abatement notice served on you.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43But if you keep it quiet and bring people in, then that'd be great.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Is it from outside or is it from inside?
0:20:46 > 0:20:49It's fairly noisy in the bedroom from the people that's outside,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52so once you bring them in I'm sure that should be sufficient.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54I'll make sure the windows and the back door's shut
0:20:54 > 0:20:56when people aren't outside.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58At least that way the party can continue,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01but the last thing you want is for us to get called out again.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Another job done and Ian's a happy man.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Yeah, seemed to go fairly well, she was fairly...
0:21:07 > 0:21:11sober and fairly responsive and seemed fairly co-operative to things,
0:21:11 > 0:21:15so I'm sure if I leave it with her, it'll all get sorted out.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Ian's visit did the trick.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21The Noise Squad received no more complaints about this party
0:21:21 > 0:21:24and no further action was needed.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29As Ian's busy Saturday night shift continues in York,
0:21:29 > 0:21:31a pub risks serious consequences
0:21:31 > 0:21:33if it doesn't pipe down.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36If you're having loud music you'll need the doors closed.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Otherwise, it could mean as much as losing the licence.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44In Westminster, one repetitive noise maker loses his noisy toys
0:21:44 > 0:21:46after ignoring too many warnings.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49I didn't take everything. I was tempted.
0:21:49 > 0:21:55And in Belfast noise officers try and silence two late night parties
0:21:55 > 0:21:57disturbing the neighbours.
0:21:57 > 0:21:58If you continue this sort of noise,
0:21:58 > 0:22:01we'll be coming back with the police and a £100 fine.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10One of the biggest causes of anti-social nuisance noise
0:22:10 > 0:22:13in the UK is rowdy parties.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16And if you live next door to someone who's having one,
0:22:16 > 0:22:18it can be a nightmare.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23The most annoying noise ever suffered is late night parties
0:22:23 > 0:22:26in the summer months, next door neighbours...
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Within the first month of them being in,
0:22:29 > 0:22:31we had the police up at them at least five times
0:22:31 > 0:22:35and they were ready to get an ASBO taken out against them,
0:22:35 > 0:22:37they were that bad.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Loud music, banging doors
0:22:39 > 0:22:43and rowdy revellers mean that sleep is almost impossible.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47The flat below us were having a party.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Now, I heard growling noises, everything.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53I couldn't sleep till 7am, it was actually ridiculous.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58In Belfast, the council's Noise Squad
0:22:58 > 0:23:01deal with thousands of complaints every year
0:23:01 > 0:23:03about noisy parties
0:23:03 > 0:23:06and tonight looks like it's going to be no exception
0:23:06 > 0:23:08for officers Joe and Steve.
0:23:09 > 0:23:14We've got seven calls built up there, it's all come in together
0:23:14 > 0:23:16in the space of half an hour, 45 minutes.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19So, depending on how quickly we get through them,
0:23:19 > 0:23:21we may well be ringing some of the complainants back
0:23:21 > 0:23:24to advise them that we can't make it out tonight
0:23:24 > 0:23:25due to the time constraints.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28Joe and Steve are on their way to a house party
0:23:28 > 0:23:31that's allegedly sharing its music with an entire street.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37At the minute, we're heading up to a party
0:23:37 > 0:23:39in a part of South Belfast, here now.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42It's a big road in South Belfast,
0:23:42 > 0:23:45and the complainants say they're being disturbed by music.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48They don't want any further contact from us, so I'm assuming
0:23:48 > 0:23:51they're probably in bed and they're being disturbed by the music.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54So, again, we'll call out and assess this from outside
0:23:54 > 0:23:58the complainant's property and decide whether or not it's actionable,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01whether it's a verbal warning or a warning notice, or nothing at all,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04depending on the level of noise.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08Different councils approach nuisance noise in slightly different ways.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11Here in Belfast, if the lads decide the party
0:24:11 > 0:24:15is so loud that a warning notice has to be served,
0:24:15 > 0:24:18the homeowner will have ten minutes to quieten things down.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22If they don't and Joe and Steve are called back to the property tonight,
0:24:22 > 0:24:25the homeowner could be hit with a £100 fine.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30As they get near to the house they spot possible evidence
0:24:30 > 0:24:32of the party heading straight for them.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34There's a guy walking down the middle of the road.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36He's probably come from the party.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40This lonesome cowboy seems to have packed up and is homeward bound.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44Perhaps the sun has already set on this hoedown.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48Here we go, here. Here they are standing outside, look.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52As Joe and Steve arrive, though, it seems his posse is still partying.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55MUSIC AND TALKING
0:24:58 > 0:25:02Before Joe and Steve get out, they assess the situation from the car.
0:25:02 > 0:25:0419:54, yeah?
0:25:04 > 0:25:0623rd, 23rd...
0:25:06 > 0:25:07Despite the noise,
0:25:07 > 0:25:10it looks as though these party animals are pretty tame.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14All right? How are you doing?
0:25:14 > 0:25:16Hi, we're from Belfast City Council.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18We need to speak to somebody that lives here.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23Anybody live here at all?
0:25:23 > 0:25:26They're decent lads and once Steve explains the situation
0:25:26 > 0:25:29they're happy to comply and turn the music down.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32Steve, though, has decided to give them a written notice.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35If the volume goes back up tonight,
0:25:35 > 0:25:38the occupiers could be getting a £100 fine.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41So, we're serving this warning notice on you, all right?
0:25:41 > 0:25:43It runs out at seven o'clock tomorrow morning
0:25:43 > 0:25:46but it basically means that if you continue this sort of noise
0:25:46 > 0:25:50- we'll be coming back with the police and a £100 fine.- Yeah, sure.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- So, if you bring people inside and bring your music inside...- Yeah.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56..nobody else can complain and then we won't have to come back.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00- Yeah, that would be fine. - That's great. Thanks very much.
0:26:02 > 0:26:03Steve's warning is clear
0:26:03 > 0:26:06and the lads promise to move the party inside.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08They've been very co-operative,
0:26:08 > 0:26:10they've turned the music off right away
0:26:10 > 0:26:12and they're bringing people inside.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14Hopefully they'll close the door
0:26:14 > 0:26:16and the complainants won't be disturbed again.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18The warning notice did the trick.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21There was no further problem from this party
0:26:21 > 0:26:24and no further action was necessary.
0:26:24 > 0:26:29If you're being disturbed by noisy neighbours
0:26:29 > 0:26:32or any other type of nuisance noise, don't suffer in silence.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36Your local council are on hand to deal with it, so give them a call.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41The majority of the Noise Squad's complaints in Belfast
0:26:41 > 0:26:43are about domestic noise.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46Parties can be an irritation for those without an invite
0:26:46 > 0:26:49and they're certainly keeping Joe and Steve busy tonight.
0:26:49 > 0:26:54Hi, I'm from the council's noise service. We're getting complaints from your neighbours.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57And when late night revellers take to the streets of Belfast,
0:26:57 > 0:27:01it's not just the noise that's a nuisance.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03Basically there's nothing we can do,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06cos it's a public order offence to stand and drink in the street.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10In another part of the city there have been multiple complaints
0:27:10 > 0:27:13about loud music and aggressive voices.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16The lads are on their way to check it out.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20Once we identify the property that's making the noise, we'll assess it from outside.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24Due to the fact that all three callers requested no further contact from ourselves
0:27:24 > 0:27:29because they're a bit fearful of the residents of the property that's making the noise,
0:27:29 > 0:27:31once we get outside we'll assess how loud it is,
0:27:31 > 0:27:35and if it warrants a verbal warning or a warning notice,
0:27:35 > 0:27:37and judging the crowd, what we can work out
0:27:37 > 0:27:40just by listening to all the voices, the songs they're listening to,
0:27:40 > 0:27:42and if we think there's a chance it could go wrong
0:27:42 > 0:27:45we'll ring the police and ask them to come and assist us
0:27:45 > 0:27:49while we serve the warning notice or giving them the verbal warning.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Joe and Steve are hesitant with this case.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56In the past, other members of the council's Noise Squad
0:27:56 > 0:27:59have been assaulted.
0:27:59 > 0:28:04I don't know why she can hear any male, aggressive voices.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Sounds like it's the top floor.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Do you think we need the police?
0:28:08 > 0:28:12We'll go up and listen to the door
0:28:12 > 0:28:14- and see how we feel from that. - All right.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17If noise officers are concerned about their safety
0:28:17 > 0:28:19they can call in police back-up.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23This time they've decided to go it alone.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26It's a very tense time for the lads.
0:28:26 > 0:28:31They have no idea what could greet them when they reach the flat.
0:28:31 > 0:28:32They proceed with caution.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35It's times like these that the Noise Squad
0:28:35 > 0:28:37have to rely on their intuition and know-how.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43The first job is to assess the level of noise from outside the property.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46MUSIC BLARES
0:28:46 > 0:28:50- That's all males, isn't it?- That's why they could hear male voices
0:28:58 > 0:29:02We're listening to the voices of the noise makers.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05To try and assess whether...
0:29:05 > 0:29:07How aggressive they might be when we approach them.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12We seem to think they might be reasonable enough.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15They've decided to speak to the noisy residents.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24No-one responds. But then...
0:29:24 > 0:29:27MUFFLED SHOUTING
0:29:27 > 0:29:31They hear loud male voices on the other side of the door.
0:29:33 > 0:29:38- We going to pull back, Joe, with this?- Mmm. Come on.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41Instinct and experience tell them to back off
0:29:41 > 0:29:43but Joe still takes action.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46He leaves them with a written warning notice to stop the noise.
0:29:46 > 0:29:51If they don't shut up they'll get more than a warning next time.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54If the complainant phones us back, we will take a measurement
0:29:54 > 0:29:58and if it proves that he's breached that warning notice,
0:29:58 > 0:29:59we'll come back out and phone the police
0:29:59 > 0:30:02and we will go and issue them with a £100 fine.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05He knew I was standing there and he wouldn't open the door,
0:30:05 > 0:30:08so if we bring the police they'll have more authority
0:30:08 > 0:30:10and hopefully he'll open the door for them.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14If not, then the fixed penalty notice will be posted through
0:30:14 > 0:30:17the letter box as well, and he'll have two weeks to pay that.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20If we go to their door with a £100 fine their attitude
0:30:20 > 0:30:26might turn nasty, so if we do come back we'll probably bring the police.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29Let's go. Supper time.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31Luckily for this noise maker's neighbours,
0:30:31 > 0:30:33the warning did the trick.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36Joe and Steve didn't receive any more complaints
0:30:36 > 0:30:38and no further action was necessary.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48In Westminster, noise enforcement officer Anuja is on her way
0:30:48 > 0:30:51to a flat to deal with a persistent nuisance noise offender
0:30:51 > 0:30:53who refuses to keep it down.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59This is a serious business.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02Anuja's armed with a warrant that gives her the power
0:31:02 > 0:31:06to confiscate anything that has been making nuisance noise.
0:31:09 > 0:31:10So we're going to do the seizure,
0:31:10 > 0:31:13we got the warrant a couple of days ago,
0:31:13 > 0:31:17because the chap had been served a notice for noise nuisance.
0:31:17 > 0:31:18He leaves his radio on,
0:31:18 > 0:31:21he leaves his alarm clock on and goes out to work.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25So now we're going to seize his equipment.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29Every year, Westminster Council's noise enforcement officers
0:31:29 > 0:31:32confiscate thousands of pounds worth of property
0:31:32 > 0:31:35from persistent, nuisance noise makers.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39It's a last resort for people that refuse to turn down the dial
0:31:39 > 0:31:41and behave themselves.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45The noise maker Anuja's on her way to see has had plenty of warnings.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49I've been to see him and he seems very apologetic
0:31:49 > 0:31:52and says he won't do it and then, lo and behold,
0:31:52 > 0:31:54he does it again and again.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57And the complainant really struggles.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01So, this is the last step, really, we've got to seize his equipment
0:32:01 > 0:32:05because he just will not listen to reason.
0:32:07 > 0:32:12Anuja's a formidable force in the battle against nuisance noise makers
0:32:12 > 0:32:16but it seems she could also give the paparazzi a run for their money.
0:32:16 > 0:32:21That's the Dorchester, where J'Lo likes to stay when she's in town.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24I saw Guy Ritchie at the lights the other day,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27he was there in his Range Rover.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30I only realised after he'd pulled away.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33I thought, "I know that face," and it was Guy Ritchie.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Anuja's smiling but this is important business
0:32:36 > 0:32:40and after arriving, she goes through the paperwork.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42And then this is the warrant that gives us rights
0:32:42 > 0:32:47to enter the premises and seize any equipment that he's got
0:32:47 > 0:32:49that can make music or noise, basically.
0:32:49 > 0:32:54Only because he's quite difficult to stop.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58The warrant gives Anuja the power
0:32:58 > 0:33:01to break into the noisemaker's home if he's not in.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04The locksmith's arrived and he's ready for action
0:33:04 > 0:33:07and just in case this noisy neighbour is in,
0:33:07 > 0:33:09she's called the police for back-up
0:33:09 > 0:33:13to make sure the situation stays under control.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16He does that a lot, he leaves his alarm clock and goes out,
0:33:16 > 0:33:19and then he plays his loud music as well.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21What's your proposed action? Seize the alarm clock, maybe?
0:33:21 > 0:33:25- I'm going to seize anything that makes noise.- Really?- Yeah.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Briefing over, it's time to knock on the door
0:33:27 > 0:33:30and find out whether or not she'll have to break in.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37The noise maker's at home.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40Anuja serves him with the warrant.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44He's not happy, but given the persistent nature of his noise-making,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47she's in no mood for compromise.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51The onus falls on you because you have been notified by us many a time that there is a problem.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53So you can't play music on this now.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56The warrant gives Anuja the power to take away equipment
0:33:56 > 0:33:58making the nuisance noise
0:33:58 > 0:34:02and as loud music has been a problem in the past,
0:34:02 > 0:34:04she decides to take away his speakers and instruments.
0:34:04 > 0:34:10You wouldn't have been served a notice for music, if you didn't play it at a level that was a nuisance.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13The noisemaker claims that there's poor insulation between his flat
0:34:13 > 0:34:17and the complainant's, but Anuja explains that's no excuse.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20If you know there's poor sound insulation in your premises
0:34:20 > 0:34:25between your neighbour, you have to live accordingly to what you have.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27I was quite nice to him, I thought.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30- You were very fair. - I didn't take everything.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32I was tempted.
0:34:32 > 0:34:37It's been a difficult job, but Anuja thinks she's struck the right chord.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39He was lucky, he managed to convince me
0:34:39 > 0:34:41that I shouldn't take everything.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45He will be asked to come to court
0:34:45 > 0:34:48and we'll want to claim back all these costs from the locksmith,
0:34:48 > 0:34:52and the court costs, so he's probably looking at nearly £1,000
0:34:52 > 0:34:56for all those sort of things, and the officer's time. It could be more,
0:34:56 > 0:35:00because we've served so many notices and we've done the warrant now
0:35:00 > 0:35:03and the seizure and the locksmith will have charged as well
0:35:03 > 0:35:05for his assistance, even though we didn't need him.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09We don't know what it's going to be like, so he'll get charged for that cost.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13Further to the confiscation,
0:35:13 > 0:35:17the noise maker moved to a new flat outside the Westminster area.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21His equipment is still retained by the council and the neighbour
0:35:21 > 0:35:25being disturbed by the noise has also moved into a new flat.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40In York, Ian Gray of the City Council's Noise Squad
0:35:40 > 0:35:43is working a busy Saturday night shift.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46He's on his way to a complaint about noise coming from a pub
0:35:46 > 0:35:49that's disturbing people living close by.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54Just received a complaint about loud music,
0:35:54 > 0:35:59according to the complainant, banging out of a pub,
0:35:59 > 0:36:01so we're just going to drive over that way
0:36:01 > 0:36:05and have a quick look. The pubs need to make sure that they're operating
0:36:05 > 0:36:07in a manner that doesn't disturb any of the other locals,
0:36:07 > 0:36:10and doesn't cause a statutory nuisance,
0:36:10 > 0:36:14so provided they comply with various conditions
0:36:14 > 0:36:18such as keeping doors and windows closed then they should be able
0:36:18 > 0:36:22to function in a manner which doesn't affect any of the local residents.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24If Ian witnesses any nuisance noise
0:36:24 > 0:36:27the consequences for the pub could be serious.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31There are over 200 pubs in York and they all get their licence
0:36:31 > 0:36:35to sell alcohol and run their business from the local council.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Any continual noise-making that's against the law
0:36:38 > 0:36:40can lead, in extreme cases,
0:36:40 > 0:36:42to the landlord losing their licence.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47A quick drive-by confirms there's a problem.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50MUSIC BLARES
0:36:50 > 0:36:54Doors left open, I think it's going to be a call to at least make them
0:36:54 > 0:36:57close the doors, if nothing else.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59It would be a fairly straightforward thing for the pub
0:36:59 > 0:37:02to make sure that they're operating in a manner
0:37:02 > 0:37:05not to affect anybody else, but they've just got the doors wide open.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08If we're going to ever take any action against premises
0:37:08 > 0:37:10for statutory nuisance,
0:37:10 > 0:37:14we need to be able to have an address at which we'll be able to monitor it.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16On this particular occasion, though,
0:37:16 > 0:37:20we've seen some clear things that we can try and ask them to do anyway.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23If we can't get access to the complainants,
0:37:23 > 0:37:26not a great problem, we'll just go and see the pub,
0:37:26 > 0:37:28get them to make sure they keep the doors closed
0:37:28 > 0:37:31and give them a strong warning.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34This level of noise isn't on.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36Ian goes in to speak to the manager.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43My name's Ian Gray of York Council Noise Patrol.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47We've had a complaint about loud music coming from the pub today.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49Right...
0:37:49 > 0:37:53Driving by, I noticed that all the doors are just left wide open.
0:37:53 > 0:37:54Yes.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Is there any reason for the doors being open?
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Cos of the heat, it's so warm in here.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03Struggling to make himself heard over the music,
0:38:03 > 0:38:07Ian explains to the manager that the situation is serious.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10If you're going to have loud music in here, you'll have to have
0:38:10 > 0:38:12the doors closed, you'll have to have the windows closed.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14Otherwise, what you could find,
0:38:14 > 0:38:17if you have music coming out at this kind of level,
0:38:17 > 0:38:20you could either have a noise abatement notice served on you
0:38:20 > 0:38:23and we could also look for getting a review
0:38:23 > 0:38:25of your premises' licence as well.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28Which could mean as much as losing your licence,
0:38:28 > 0:38:31having additional conditions put on it, that kind of thing.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34The music's going to be turned down at ten to twelve.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38- So in...four minutes. - And the doors, you're...
0:38:38 > 0:38:41So, it will be turned down and last orders will be called, anyway.
0:38:41 > 0:38:42OK.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47He's managed to get the music turned down,
0:38:47 > 0:38:50but Ian isn't too impressed that the reason the doors were left open,
0:38:50 > 0:38:52allowing the music to blare into the night,
0:38:52 > 0:38:55was because it was too warm in the pub.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58Common sense says if you're playing music that loud,
0:38:58 > 0:39:01you should not be having doors and windows open.
0:39:01 > 0:39:06It's down to them to ensure they put some decent air conditioning in if it's too warm in there.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09We're going to have a look at the licence back in the office
0:39:09 > 0:39:11and see whether they're breaching any conditions.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13If they are, that information
0:39:13 > 0:39:16will be passed on to the licensing section.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19Ian wants to check that there are no extra conditions
0:39:19 > 0:39:22in the pub's licence relating to previous nuisance noise,
0:39:22 > 0:39:25so he heads back to the office to look up the records.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31It seems there was a condition on the premises licence which says
0:39:31 > 0:39:36that music should be inaudible to the nearest noise-sensitive properties.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38Quite clearly, from when we've just been out there,
0:39:38 > 0:39:40there's been a whole number of properties
0:39:40 > 0:39:43that could have been listening to that music.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46So that's a breach of a licence condition,
0:39:46 > 0:39:49it's not something that we specifically enforce
0:39:49 > 0:39:51but we will be passing that information
0:39:51 > 0:39:54on to the licensing section at the start of next week.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58Just as Ian confirms that the pub shouldn't be making nuisance noise,
0:39:58 > 0:40:01there's another complaint from a nearby resident
0:40:01 > 0:40:04claiming that music is blaring out of the pub again.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08We'll come and listen and hopefully that should give us enough evidence
0:40:08 > 0:40:11to take it a bit further, so we'll see you shortly.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14That was somebody else complaining, saying they're being disturbed
0:40:14 > 0:40:19by loud music as we speak, so it would appear that some of the advice
0:40:19 > 0:40:23that we gave while we were there has been ignored.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26We've got an address now where we can go round and have a listen
0:40:26 > 0:40:28and see whether it's a statutory nuisance.
0:40:28 > 0:40:33We've given them an informal warning. To my mind if we go round there, to this guy's house,
0:40:33 > 0:40:37and it's a statutory nuisance I'll be quite happy to serve a noise abatement notice on them.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40Ian can serve a statutory noise abatement order on the landlord
0:40:40 > 0:40:44of the pub if he witnesses nuisance noise when he returns.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49An abatement notice is a formal written warning
0:40:49 > 0:40:53which means that the pub has a legal obligation to quieten down.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57If they don't, the Noise Squad could instigate legal proceedings
0:40:57 > 0:41:00which could lead to fines and even the pub losing its licence.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03Ian heads straight to the pub to see what's going on.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12It's all quiet so Ian calls one of the residents
0:41:12 > 0:41:14who'd called in to complain.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17Just drove past the pub and I was coming to see you
0:41:17 > 0:41:19but I didn't hear anything happening.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22Does the music seem to have stopped?
0:41:22 > 0:41:24Yeah, he said that just in the last couple of minutes
0:41:24 > 0:41:28it does seem to have gone fairly well down. He can still just hear it,
0:41:28 > 0:41:32but the levels are right down.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36So that's good, they at least took the advice and that,
0:41:36 > 0:41:38but there were still breaches of licence conditions
0:41:38 > 0:41:41which we will be passing that information on
0:41:41 > 0:41:42to the licensing section.
0:41:42 > 0:41:48They can obviously take what action they want to do over that
0:41:48 > 0:41:51and we'll be sending out some strong warning letters
0:41:51 > 0:41:55to the management of the pub, and obviously let them know
0:41:55 > 0:41:58if we do witness a nuisance, they'll be getting a notice served on them.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02After warning letters were sent to the landlord and the pub owners,
0:42:02 > 0:42:05the case is still the subject of a joint investigation
0:42:05 > 0:42:10by the noise team and the licensing department of York Council.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14It's been a busy shift for the Noise Squad.
0:42:14 > 0:42:19They've dealt with everything from a faulty car alarm and cat scarer...
0:42:19 > 0:42:22This is what's making the noise.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24..to noisy parties...
0:42:24 > 0:42:26Yeah, well, you'll need to turn it off.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30..and the seizure of one persistent noise offender's noisy toys.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34I didn't take everything. I was tempted.
0:42:35 > 0:42:41There's no let-up in the battle against anti-social nuisance noise
0:42:41 > 0:42:45and there's plenty more cases still to be dealt with by the Noise Squad.
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