0:00:02 > 0:00:05All over the UK, millions of people just like you and me
0:00:05 > 0:00:09are being driven up the wall by anti-social nuisance noise...
0:00:09 > 0:00:11ALARM BEEPS
0:00:11 > 0:00:15You know, when I go to work I always feel stressed, and...
0:00:15 > 0:00:18I always feel angry at work.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21It really is stressful and irritating
0:00:21 > 0:00:24and it makes you feel really frustrated.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27You just want to tell them to shut up.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29..persistent parties,
0:00:29 > 0:00:32aggravating alarms
0:00:32 > 0:00:34and banging builders.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36They're keeping us awake,
0:00:36 > 0:00:39disturbing our peace and quiet and driving us to despair.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43I just feel very cross and angry and upset at the moment.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46When you wake me up in the middle of the night, three o'clock,
0:00:46 > 0:00:49that's when I have to get in your face.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51But the fightback is on.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Come down, we're getting complaints about the noise.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Across the country, dedicated enforcement teams
0:00:58 > 0:01:02are getting to grips with nuisance noise, 24/7.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04You can't just leave it and let them get away with it.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06You have to keep going on and on and on.
0:01:06 > 0:01:11I do need the names of all the tenants that live in the property.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Enough is enough. It's time to put an end to nuisance noise.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Can you open the door, please?
0:01:19 > 0:01:23It's time to meet the no-nonsense Noise Squad.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40Cracking down on nuisance noise on today's show,
0:01:40 > 0:01:44officers call for police back-up to deal with some rowdy revellers.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47They're dropping plastic bottles or glasses down on top of us,
0:01:47 > 0:01:51I'm wondering if you can send some officers round to give us assistance.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54The team tackle a repeat offender.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57We've had a complaint about the noise, it's way too loud.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59It's vibrating the floor and the ceilings and things,
0:01:59 > 0:02:01and it's disturbing your neighbours.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04And in the early hours of the morning,
0:02:04 > 0:02:06a noise maker turns violent.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Can I have the police, please? I'm being assaulted.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13All over the country,
0:02:13 > 0:02:16noisy neighbours are driving us round the bend.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19It's like hell, like a war zone.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22No matter how many times I asked the person to stop it,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25it was just happening over and over, and it was driving me insane.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28It's one of the biggest problems
0:02:28 > 0:02:30that Noise Squads everywhere have to deal with.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32We've had complaints from some of the residents
0:02:32 > 0:02:35about the little party you're having up there.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Go and turn the music down and then come back and talk to me.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40If they would just be more considerate to people...
0:02:40 > 0:02:42but they just don't want to be.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45And in Westminster, in central London,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47the team are called out night after night
0:02:47 > 0:02:50to deal with noisy neighbours who just won't shut up.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52If you go upstairs and do the same thing,
0:02:52 > 0:02:54you will be committing an offence.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56If I knock on your door before midnight
0:02:56 > 0:02:58and tell you the music is too loud
0:02:58 > 0:03:01that music must not get up again to that level.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Make sure it doesn't go on again.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Noise Officer Steve Richardson
0:03:07 > 0:03:10has been part of the Westminster Noise Team for seven years,
0:03:10 > 0:03:14and he knows better than most that when a noise officer is called to deal with a complaint,
0:03:14 > 0:03:19they're never quite sure who, or what, they'll have to deal with.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21I was assaulted just recently,
0:03:21 > 0:03:24it was only what they call a common assault,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27just, I was pushed over.
0:03:27 > 0:03:28I felt really shocked.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32You think, "OK, right, this has happened, what do I do now?"
0:03:32 > 0:03:33I've got to call the police,
0:03:33 > 0:03:37you've got to get out of the situation,
0:03:37 > 0:03:39get away to a place of safety.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43Yeah, you just go into training mode, I suppose.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Tonight, Steve's on his way to deal with an alleged noisy neighbour
0:03:46 > 0:03:50that two people have called in to complain about.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54There's loud music from a flat,
0:03:54 > 0:03:58but one person has registered a complaint
0:03:58 > 0:04:03and doesn't want a call-back so we can't go into their flat to witness,
0:04:03 > 0:04:07which would have made it nigh-on impossible to deal with,
0:04:07 > 0:04:12but fortunately another resident is also affected,
0:04:12 > 0:04:17who's willing to let us in to witness,
0:04:17 > 0:04:21so hopefully we'll be able to...
0:04:21 > 0:04:24witness the nuisance from their flat,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26if it is a nuisance,
0:04:26 > 0:04:31and then approach the people that are making the noise.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37When he arrives, Steve heads for one of the complainant's flats
0:04:37 > 0:04:40and hears some disturbing news about the noise maker.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44Allegedly, he produced a dagger when confronted about noise in the past.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47If he's likely to produce a dagger,
0:04:47 > 0:04:50I'm minded to call the police to assist us with talking to him.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54It's a worrying development for Steve.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57For now, he decides to continue without police back-up
0:04:57 > 0:05:02and heads off to find which flat the noise is coming from.
0:05:02 > 0:05:03But it's all gone quiet.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05That's very odd.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13We were just in the flat there,
0:05:13 > 0:05:18and you could clearly hear the music in the flat...
0:05:20 > 0:05:26..which was a nuisance. It's now quarter to two in the morning, and...
0:05:26 > 0:05:29it would have clearly kept... it would have...
0:05:29 > 0:05:31It would have kept someone awake in there.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35I've literally just stepped over the threshold, and it's gone quiet.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Steve goes to tell the resident the music has stopped.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Sorry to disturb you again.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43It's gone very quiet.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47The problem I've got is because there was three flats
0:05:47 > 0:05:51it could have come from, I've got to be exactly certain.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55So, we're going to ring the police, see if he's known to the police.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58We'll hang about, see if it starts up again
0:05:58 > 0:06:00and then we'll come back up.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02I'll try not to disturb you any more. Sorry.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08A chat with some other residents returning from a night out
0:06:08 > 0:06:13adds to Steve's concerns that this could be a dangerous situation.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16They have confirmed that the guy
0:06:16 > 0:06:19has threatened violence
0:06:19 > 0:06:24and does play his music loud.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27This is really serious stuff.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Steve doesn't know if these stories are true
0:06:29 > 0:06:32but he's not going to take any risks and calls the police.
0:06:32 > 0:06:38I'm ringing from Westminster Council, from the Noise Team.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40I've got me voice low because I'm just outside some flats,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43I don't want to disturb people.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45I just wanted to try and check to see
0:06:45 > 0:06:46whether a person was known to you.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48He asks the police if the noise maker
0:06:48 > 0:06:53has any previous history of violence or carrying weapons.
0:06:53 > 0:06:54Yep, thank you very much.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58They've logged what that person's reported to us
0:06:58 > 0:06:59in a similar situation.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03It seems that he was playing music, about two weeks ago,
0:07:03 > 0:07:06and they went...
0:07:06 > 0:07:09You know, I'm assuming they went and asked him to turn it down
0:07:09 > 0:07:12and he threatened them with a dagger.
0:07:14 > 0:07:15That's what I've been told.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20But it seems it wasn't reported to the police,
0:07:20 > 0:07:22so we can't knock on the door at the moment.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26They've said if there's another complaint tonight
0:07:26 > 0:07:29and we're certain where it's coming from,
0:07:29 > 0:07:34the police will come down later on and visit with us.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38Although the reports of threats of violence are just hearsay,
0:07:38 > 0:07:39Steve is understandably wary.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42I'm not willing to visit without the police
0:07:42 > 0:07:46because this was pretty much exactly what happened when I was assaulted
0:07:46 > 0:07:48so I'm not happy to visit without the police.
0:07:48 > 0:07:53I'm just going to go up and check. I thought I might have heard something.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55As he was about to leave,
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Steve thinks he's heard the music come back on.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59He's right.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01MUFFLED MUSIC
0:08:05 > 0:08:09And he listens to try and work out where the noise is coming from.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18With pop music blaring out,
0:08:18 > 0:08:22the noise maker starts shouting to add to the noise.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24SHOUTING
0:08:26 > 0:08:28I'll just go and give the police a ring.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34We'll join Steve later as he gets police back-up
0:08:34 > 0:08:38and confronts the nuisance noise maker.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42Hello, it's the police. Can you open the door, please?
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Last year, the Noise Team in York
0:08:56 > 0:08:59dealt with over 2,500 complaints.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01Right, I just wanted to give you an update.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03We're hoping to carry out a seizure...
0:09:03 > 0:09:06We've just got another party we've got to go and deal with
0:09:06 > 0:09:08at the moment and then you're next on the list.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Right, we'll be with you in about ten minutes. OK, bye, now.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16They deal with everything from noisy neighbours...
0:09:16 > 0:09:18ROWDY SINGING
0:09:18 > 0:09:21I've a right to celebrate, it's cost me a lot of money.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23..to crowing cockerels...
0:09:25 > 0:09:27- Can you bring them inside, overnight? - No, don't be daft.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29..and faulty alarms.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31ALARM SHRIEKS
0:09:31 > 0:09:35Apparently, they've not been able to sleep for the last few nights.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38Trainee officer Siobhan Metcalfe is learning the ropes
0:09:38 > 0:09:43with the council's Noise Squad and today she's heading out on a call
0:09:43 > 0:09:45with senior colleague, Craig Delorenzo.
0:09:47 > 0:09:52We're just off to a complaint about loud music.
0:09:52 > 0:09:57It's just come in and the lady who's made the complaint
0:09:57 > 0:09:59is really frustrated about the level of music,
0:09:59 > 0:10:03so I'm expecting it to be very loud.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05I have met the complainant before,
0:10:05 > 0:10:09but we're unsure where the noise is coming from on this occasion.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12So, part of this complaint will be
0:10:12 > 0:10:15to locate the source of the noise.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23When they arrive on site, Craig and Siobhan head inside.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26The complainant doesn't want to be on camera
0:10:26 > 0:10:29but the pounding bass can be heard in their flat.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34BASS THUMPS
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Craig asked the complainant to put their TV on
0:10:42 > 0:10:45to see if the music can still be heard.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47Could you stick it on for us? Just so we've got
0:10:47 > 0:10:52some sort of background to say that it's disturbing you from doing that.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56What we'll do is, we'll just make some notes
0:10:56 > 0:10:59for about 20 minutes or so, and then I'm going to go,
0:10:59 > 0:11:01you know, and tell them to...
0:11:01 > 0:11:04This isn't acceptable, cos it's too loud.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08Craig is clear that this is a noise nuisance.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10He's going to be serving an abatement notice
0:11:10 > 0:11:14and explains what will happen if it's ignored.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17If he doesn't listen to us then the consequences are
0:11:17 > 0:11:19that we'll take his stereo, he'll go to court
0:11:19 > 0:11:21and he could get a fine, you know?
0:11:21 > 0:11:23That's the consequences,
0:11:23 > 0:11:25and if he carries on, he'll get another fine.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29Having monitored the noise, it's time to take action
0:11:29 > 0:11:32and Craig and Siobhan head to the noise maker's flat.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Telling people how to behave in their own home
0:11:38 > 0:11:40isn't usually particularly popular
0:11:40 > 0:11:44and the team don't know how this noise maker is going to react.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49LATCH CLICKS
0:11:49 > 0:11:53Hi, Craig from the council. I've had a noise complaint. It's way too loud.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55It's vibrating the floor and the ceilings and things,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58and it's disturbing your neighbours.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01So what I'm going to do is... You've turned it off for us, now,
0:12:01 > 0:12:04we're going to serve you with what's called an abatement notice
0:12:04 > 0:12:08saying that you must not cause a nuisance to your neighbours.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10You need to keep your noise to a reasonable level,
0:12:10 > 0:12:14even during the day, OK? And make sure it doesn't cause a problem.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16It was way too loud today.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18I don't really play the music all the time,
0:12:18 > 0:12:20it's maybe once a week, only for an hour, so...
0:12:20 > 0:12:23If it's causing a problem, I don't mind turning it off.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26It is causing quite a problem today and, you know,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29we're not going to stop you playing your music but what you have to do
0:12:29 > 0:12:31is play it at a reasonable level.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34If you want to play it at that level, you'll have to wear earphones.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- Yeah, that's fine. - We'll be back in an hour or two
0:12:36 > 0:12:43- and if you're not in, we'll just put it through your door. All right? - Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47Message delivered, but there have been issues with loud music
0:12:47 > 0:12:49coming from this flat in the past
0:12:49 > 0:12:51and as they head off, Craig's not convinced
0:12:51 > 0:12:54this is the end of the matter.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58Although I hope that the abatement notice resolves the matter,
0:12:58 > 0:13:01I don't think that this is the end of this issue.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04I think he may be trying to play a bit of cat and mouse today.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08He was compliant and agreed to do what we asked him to do today,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11but I think when we're not there it's going to be a different story
0:13:11 > 0:13:13and he's going to put his music on again.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15So, it's just a matter of catching him.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18But we've given him the benefit of the doubt and hopefully,
0:13:18 > 0:13:22you know, after today there won't be any further problems.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25When deciding if something is a statutory noise nuisance
0:13:25 > 0:13:27that needs to be dealt with,
0:13:27 > 0:13:31officers have to use their own judgement.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35As a trainee, this has been a useful experience for Siobhan.
0:13:35 > 0:13:36I've only seen a couple so far,
0:13:36 > 0:13:40and that's probably one of the better ones that I've seen.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42I've worked with a case before when I listened to
0:13:42 > 0:13:46the recording equipment, that was a stat nuisance we'd considered,
0:13:46 > 0:13:49but not as good as witnessing it first hand.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54If you're being bothered by anti-social nuisance noise,
0:13:54 > 0:13:56you don't have to put up with it.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Help is at hand.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02Your local council have more powers than the police
0:14:02 > 0:14:05when it comes to enforcing the law on nuisance noise,
0:14:05 > 0:14:07so if you've got a problem, pick up the phone
0:14:07 > 0:14:10and call the council, not the cops.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Having written up the abatement notice,
0:14:12 > 0:14:16Siobhan heads off with her colleague, James, to serve it
0:14:16 > 0:14:18and it's a big moment for her.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21I've been with an officer and served a notice before,
0:14:21 > 0:14:24but this is the first time I've done it myself.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27The noise maker may have been reasonable
0:14:27 > 0:14:30when she was last at his flat but there's no guarantee
0:14:30 > 0:14:33Siobhan will get the same response when she serves the notice.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36As this is the first time she's taken the lead
0:14:36 > 0:14:39and done it herself, she needs to stay calm
0:14:39 > 0:14:42and be very clear about why the notice is being served
0:14:42 > 0:14:44and what it means.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49DOG BARKS
0:14:55 > 0:14:58The good news is there's no music being played,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01but the dog's pretty loud.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Hiya, it's Siobhan and James from the council.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07The noise maker isn't at home but Siobhan explains
0:15:07 > 0:15:11to the person who's answered the door what's going on.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13I've got some letters for you
0:15:13 > 0:15:16cos we came earlier on today and spoke to him about
0:15:16 > 0:15:20the level of noise and music, and said we were going to serve a notice.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23So there's one for you and one for him.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27The letter's in there as well. They explain what the problem was,
0:15:27 > 0:15:34so it's loud music, and from now on it's, kind of, a case of keeping it to a reasonable level.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36The person who answered the door is friendly and reasonable
0:15:36 > 0:15:41and Siobhan has served her first ever noise abatement notice.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Today I thought that went pretty well.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46She seemed quite receptive to the problem that we'd had
0:15:46 > 0:15:50and she's already spoken to the person that caused the noise
0:15:50 > 0:15:52and she's assuring us it won't happen in future.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55In terms of me explaining the process
0:15:55 > 0:15:58and, kind of, what's going on, I felt a little bit apprehensive at first
0:15:58 > 0:16:02because I hadn't met the other lady but I had met him,
0:16:02 > 0:16:06but it seemed to go OK, so I was quite pleased.
0:16:07 > 0:16:08Nicely done, Siobhan.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12It's job done and, to date, there have been no further complaints
0:16:12 > 0:16:16about this flat and no further action has been necessary.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24In Westminster, Noise Enforcement Officer Steve Richardson
0:16:24 > 0:16:28has been called to a block of flats to deal with a nuisance noise maker
0:16:28 > 0:16:32who's playing loud music and shouting in the early hours.
0:16:32 > 0:16:37Allegedly, this noise maker has threatened violence
0:16:37 > 0:16:39when confronted about his noise-making in the past.
0:16:39 > 0:16:45They have confirmed that the guy has threatened violence.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Not knowing who or what could confront him
0:16:48 > 0:16:52when he knocks on the noise maker's door is a real worry for Steve.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55MUFFLED SHOUTING AND BANGING
0:16:55 > 0:16:58So he's called in the police for back-up.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01We're just waiting for the police to give us a call
0:17:01 > 0:17:03to say that they're on their way.
0:17:03 > 0:17:09What I want to do with this one is to speak to the occupier,
0:17:09 > 0:17:13I want to confirm his details.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15Primarily, I want to get a reduction
0:17:15 > 0:17:17in the volume of the music straight away.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19Since Steve arrived on site,
0:17:19 > 0:17:23the music in the noise maker's flat has been going on and off.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Having witnessed a nuisance taking place, though,
0:17:28 > 0:17:30he's going to be taking action,
0:17:30 > 0:17:33even though it's now almost four o'clock in the morning.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36If he's keeping his neighbours up at ten to four
0:17:36 > 0:17:39then I don't care if he does go back to bed,
0:17:39 > 0:17:43I think we should knock him up and disturb his sleep.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Steve's had a bit of a noisy past, himself.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48He now plays in a function band, quietly,
0:17:48 > 0:17:50but it wasn't always that way.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53I shouldn't be a noise officer.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55I should be a rock star, of course.
0:17:56 > 0:18:02I did used to play in a heavier band and we were playing a gig once
0:18:02 > 0:18:07and the noise officer did turn up and we had to stop playing.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11The police arrive and Steve explains the situation.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14I want to just basically confirm who's in there tonight,
0:18:14 > 0:18:16who's making the noise tonight.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20So, I've already witnessed the nuisance,
0:18:20 > 0:18:23so I want to speak to him, get his details
0:18:23 > 0:18:24and take it from there, really.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- What's the problem tonight? Is he making a noise, is he?- Yeah.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- Was there noise coming from that address tonight?- Yeah.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34- Yeah, I've heard it.- Is it musical? - Yeah, music. And he's shouting.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37He's kind of going, "Come on," you know, just shouting around.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Does it sound like there's more than one up there?
0:18:40 > 0:18:42Erm, I couldn't quite make out.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45I think the last time I listened, it sounded like there was only one.
0:18:45 > 0:18:46- OK.- All right.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49As they head inside, the officers ask
0:18:49 > 0:18:52if he has any background info on the noise maker.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54Have you been here before?
0:18:54 > 0:18:58No, I haven't, no. I've been here, you know, here earlier.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01But not anything in the past?
0:19:01 > 0:19:06I was told that a neighbour had gone up to speak to him
0:19:06 > 0:19:09to ask him to reduce the volume
0:19:09 > 0:19:14and then he had come down and threatened them with a knife.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17Do you want us to wait here or do you want us to go in first?
0:19:17 > 0:19:19It's up to you.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21If you can, kind of, do it one either side.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24Not sure what to expect,
0:19:24 > 0:19:28Steve and the police officers knock on the noise maker's door.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30HE BANGS DOOR
0:19:46 > 0:19:48Despite many attempts,
0:19:48 > 0:19:50the noise maker doesn't come to the door.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54Hello, it's the police, can you open the door, please?
0:19:54 > 0:19:56MUSIC BLARES LOUDLY
0:19:58 > 0:20:00There's some movement inside.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08Hello, police. Can you open the door, please?
0:20:16 > 0:20:19MUSIC STOPS
0:20:19 > 0:20:23The music is turned off but there's still no sign of the occupant.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26Hello, sir, it's the police. Can you open the door, please?
0:20:28 > 0:20:32It's a tense time for Steve and the police officers.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38- It's the police.- Come on, then, we haven't got all night, mate.
0:20:39 > 0:20:44Given the neighbours' allegations about threats of violence,
0:20:44 > 0:20:46the police officers are prepared for trouble.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51They're ready with pepper spray if the situation turns violent.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53Finally, the door is opened.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58- This guy here... - I'm from Westminster Council.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01The music that you're playing tonight...
0:21:01 > 0:21:03You know it's 4am at the moment.
0:21:03 > 0:21:04Can you just turn it down a bit?
0:21:04 > 0:21:06Got to think of your neighbours, mate.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10Cos even though you haven't got work in the morning, other people have.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12After some gentle negotiation,
0:21:12 > 0:21:15the noise maker agrees to be reasonable
0:21:15 > 0:21:19and his neighbours can finally get some sleep.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21He confides in Steve and the police
0:21:21 > 0:21:24that he's been through some very difficult personal circumstances.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29It's a little bit sad, really, when people get to that state,
0:21:29 > 0:21:33you know, you do feel sympathy for them,
0:21:33 > 0:21:38but also, you've got to deal with the problem that they're causing.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41He's agreed to switch off the music, now,
0:21:41 > 0:21:47so there's some improvement, there, for the residents tonight.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49It's been a trying night for Steve,
0:21:49 > 0:21:53but with the music off, he's decided that this time
0:21:53 > 0:21:55he won't be taking any further action.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Steve's noise busting isn't over yet, though.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02We'll join him later as he attends another call
0:22:02 > 0:22:06about a noisy neighbour, and this time things do turn violent.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- Bleep.- Can we have the police, please? I'm being assaulted.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13In York, trainee officer Siobhan
0:22:13 > 0:22:17takes the lead on a case for the first time.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19I feel a little apprehensive.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22I want it to go as well as possible and that it be a successful outcome.
0:22:22 > 0:22:28And in Belfast, officers lay down the law to a student party.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Don't stand there lying. I was outside watching you,
0:22:30 > 0:22:32acting Jack the Lad at the top window.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45The number one complaint to most noise enforcement teams
0:22:45 > 0:22:47around the UK is about noisy neighbours.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51Parties, 24/7, seven days a week.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54You know, even ten people, even five people can make
0:22:54 > 0:22:56so much noise if they get a little bit drunk
0:22:56 > 0:22:58and it all gets out of hand.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02They party all night long and I don't mind,
0:23:02 > 0:23:06but you, sort of, wake up and you think, "Why don't they stop?"
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Neighbours that refuse to keep it down
0:23:10 > 0:23:14and keep us awake into the early hours are a nightmare.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18It can upset your whole living routine, you know?
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Even to the point where you're unable to go to work
0:23:21 > 0:23:23because you're, maybe, up all night.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29With six years of experience on the job between them,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Joe and Steve of the Belfast Noise Squad are used to dealing
0:23:32 > 0:23:34with complaints about noisy neighbours.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36You need to turn the music right down, or off.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Bring in the guests from the back and keep the back door locked.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42That's all right, now, there won't be a problem.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Tonight, the lads are working the Saturday night shift
0:23:45 > 0:23:47and they've been called out to deal with a party
0:23:47 > 0:23:49that neighbours say is too noisy.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Looks like the flats are one property.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55Looks like they're all one property, the party's going on two floors.
0:23:55 > 0:23:56If they'd close the windows
0:23:56 > 0:23:59- I think that would probably sort the music out.- Yeah.
0:23:59 > 0:24:04Different councils approach nuisance noise in slightly different ways.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09Here in Belfast, if the team witness nuisance noise
0:24:09 > 0:24:12they can serve a warning notice.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14If the noise maker doesn't quieten down
0:24:14 > 0:24:18and the lads witness nuisance noise again on the same night
0:24:18 > 0:24:20they can hand out a £100 fine.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22If that doesn't do the trick,
0:24:22 > 0:24:26the noise maker could be taken to court and given a larger fine.
0:24:28 > 0:24:29Joe and Steve have decided
0:24:29 > 0:24:34that the noise here is bad enough for them to have a word.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37- You just going to do a verbal, then? - We'll just do a verbal, aye.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41In order to get the attention of the noise makers,
0:24:41 > 0:24:44the lads shine a torch at one of the flat's windows.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47There's a guy sitting at the window, here.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49I'm trying to get his attention, but...
0:24:49 > 0:24:51We need a brighter light.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Can you come down to the door for me? From the Council.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57- I don't know about that, there. - Right.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Can you come down and talk to us or we'll be phoning the police?
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Joe and Steve are being reasonable.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Is the guy who lives there still there?
0:25:05 > 0:25:07Bleep.
0:25:07 > 0:25:08Sorry?
0:25:08 > 0:25:10Bleep.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14I think he said, "Go away, Joe," or something like that.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18- Will I just ring the cops and get them out?- Yeah, do.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21With a distinct lack of co-operation,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24the lads decide the only way to get this music turned down
0:25:24 > 0:25:27is to hand out a written warning.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29And as they're being sworn at,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32they're calling for police back-up to serve it.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34As Joe calls the police,
0:25:34 > 0:25:38someone starts throwing plastic cups and bottles out of the window.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45How're you doing? I'm from Belfast City Council's noise service.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47I'm trying to speak to the occupants here.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49They won't come to the door to us,
0:25:49 > 0:25:53instead they're just sitting at the top windows and shouting abuse down
0:25:53 > 0:25:55and dropping plastic bottles or glasses down on us.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58I just wondered if you can send some officers out
0:25:58 > 0:26:00to give us some assistance to get them out.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03What do you want?
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Bleep. Baldie!
0:26:06 > 0:26:08No backing down, no backing down!
0:26:08 > 0:26:11They're students. That's our future of Belfast.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14Basically, this group of students, here,
0:26:14 > 0:26:15are refusing to come to the door,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19they're shouting down abuse at us, so I've rang for police assistance.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Hopefully, when the police come that'll get them to the door,
0:26:22 > 0:26:24then we can have a good conversation with them.
0:26:24 > 0:26:25Give them a good telling off.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28And if they are students, here, around Belfast,
0:26:28 > 0:26:31hopefully we can get them reported to the university for their behaviour.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34If these party-goers are students,
0:26:34 > 0:26:38then they've got a first class degree in stupidity.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42If they'd come to the door, this could have been dealt with quickly.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44Now the police are involved.
0:26:44 > 0:26:45The police have just arrived now,
0:26:45 > 0:26:48so, hopefully we can go and get to speak to one of them right away,
0:26:48 > 0:26:50and issue this warning notice.
0:27:00 > 0:27:05With the police on the scene, it's a different story.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08The door is opened and Joe gives them a well deserved lecture.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10- Do you want to get arrested, now? - Why?
0:27:10 > 0:27:13For throwing things out the window. You were abusive.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15I don't think I actually did.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17Well, I witnessed you doing it, so did he.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19I think that's proof enough.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22You're getting reported to the university, both of you,
0:27:22 > 0:27:23all of you are for your behaviour.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26Joe and Steve serve a warning notice.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29This is a warning notice. It lasts till seven o'clock tomorrow morning.
0:27:29 > 0:27:34If the noise continues tonight, we'll come back with the police and fine you £100.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36Can you check and make sure that's his proper name?
0:27:36 > 0:27:39I'm not sure it's his proper name he's given.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41He's refusing to give me any other details.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Everything was explained to the first guy who came to the window.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47We pressed the buzzer and instead you wanted to shout down
0:27:47 > 0:27:51- bleep and bleep and drop all your plastic bottles down. - Do you think this is hilarious?
0:27:51 > 0:27:54That's why the police are here now. Don't stand there and tell lies.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58I was outside watching you acting Jack the Lad at the top window.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01All right, so, if you close the windows, get all the noise off.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Anybody else complains tonight, we'll have to come back, OK?
0:28:04 > 0:28:09- Thank you.- Thanks very much. - Thanks for your assistance, there.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12Because of their behaviour from the window, they will definitely...
0:28:12 > 0:28:14Hopefully they're all students.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17The girl definitely said she was a student at the University of Ulster
0:28:17 > 0:28:19so we can definitely trace her.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23The Environmental Health Officer will trace her through the university,
0:28:23 > 0:28:25she will be reported.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29Hopefully... we've got his ID, hopefully he's a student, now, I don't know.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31He was laughing and joking and smirking,
0:28:31 > 0:28:34he wouldn't give his proper details so we're not entirely sure
0:28:34 > 0:28:36if he was a student or not. But if he is,
0:28:36 > 0:28:38we do have his name and date of birth and his proper address,
0:28:38 > 0:28:42so he will be easily traced through the university if he is a student.
0:28:43 > 0:28:47The Noise Team submitted a complaint to the University
0:28:47 > 0:28:50who are now carrying out a full investigation into the incident
0:28:50 > 0:28:53which could lead to disciplinary action being taken
0:28:53 > 0:28:56against the students involved.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08Every year, the City of York's Noise Squad
0:29:08 > 0:29:10deal with hundreds of complaints about loud music.
0:29:10 > 0:29:15Every night till the early hours, relentless, non-stop noise
0:29:15 > 0:29:20that something could be done about. So, it's unreasonable.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23And the big chunk of these are about music
0:29:23 > 0:29:25coming from commercial premises.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28MUSIC BLARES
0:29:30 > 0:29:33I don't know what they're thinking of to have this sort of music
0:29:33 > 0:29:36in this sort of area. This is a residential area, you know.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40And to have the doors open and everything else, it's quite bizarre.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42It's a matter of sleeping really, isn't it?
0:29:42 > 0:29:45It affects your next day, and your lifestyle because
0:29:45 > 0:29:47you can't get to sleep at half past 11 at night.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51And if you're up for work the next day it is a bind,
0:29:51 > 0:29:54because you can't get your normal seven or eight hours of sleep.
0:29:56 > 0:30:01Trainee officer Siobhan Metcalfe is dealing with a complaint
0:30:01 > 0:30:05coming from a pub over a weekend but for her this is no ordinary case.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09Today will be the first time
0:30:09 > 0:30:12I go out as an officer investigating a complaint.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16Usually I'm assisting other officers
0:30:16 > 0:30:19and going out with them and watching what they're doing,
0:30:19 > 0:30:23but today I've got the opportunity to lead it first hand
0:30:23 > 0:30:25and see what kind of problems I might encounter
0:30:25 > 0:30:28and experience different ways to deal with them.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31At the moment, I feel a little apprehensive.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35I want to make sure I've got the right information available
0:30:35 > 0:30:39and to give the manager of the pub the correct information.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43And also, because it's my first case, obviously
0:30:43 > 0:30:47I want it to go as well as possible and it be a successful outcome.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52Siobhan has taken advice from other members of the Noise Team
0:30:52 > 0:30:57but it's time for her to head out and deal with her first case alone.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00At the minute, we're almost at the pub where we need to go
0:31:00 > 0:31:04and visit the manager.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06This is just to discuss how they've...
0:31:06 > 0:31:10What they've done over the weekend, in terms of having live bands on,
0:31:10 > 0:31:14and also just to see if there's anything we can advise them on
0:31:14 > 0:31:18in future just to prevent it being a nuisance again.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21As there have been complaints about the pub,
0:31:21 > 0:31:25Siobhan is going to be serving them with a warning letter.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28But she's also going to be acting proactively and giving them advice
0:31:28 > 0:31:33to try and stop things going further. So it's extremely important
0:31:33 > 0:31:36that the advice she gives is clear and correct.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39- Hiya, are you Becca? - Yes, I am.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41Hi, it's Siobhan from the City of York Council.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44- I spoke to you earlier about seeing if we can have a chat...- Yeah!
0:31:44 > 0:31:48- ..about the complaints we've had, is that OK?- Yep, that'd be great.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52Siobhan explains what she needs to do.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55I just want to chat about what you had on, on the Saturday,
0:31:55 > 0:31:58what kind of things you put in place to measure any noise,
0:31:58 > 0:32:03if you did at all, and where it was. I believe it was outside, so I just want to go outside in the area and...
0:32:03 > 0:32:05- Yeah, not a problem. - And that was it really.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08And just see if we can give you any advice as well. OK?
0:32:08 > 0:32:12So step one, find out what was happening.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16Step two, find out if anything was done to monitor noise levels.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20And step three, look at where the music was being played.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24I mean, with it being my first festival what I do, personally,
0:32:24 > 0:32:26to, kind of, give myself a hand
0:32:26 > 0:32:28in terms of this kind of thing happening was,
0:32:28 > 0:32:32I approached other pubs, not just in the vicinity around myself,
0:32:32 > 0:32:36who gave me a few basic guidelines. I've got a friend,
0:32:36 > 0:32:38well, two friends that deal with festivals,
0:32:38 > 0:32:41one of them deals with crowd control in particular
0:32:41 > 0:32:44which also deals with noise control as well.
0:32:44 > 0:32:49So I did speak to those people to get pointers on what I could do.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53So, the pub were holding a live music festival.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56Siobhan's next job is to find out what steps,
0:32:56 > 0:32:59if any, were taken to monitor noise levels.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02What I did do on the day was...
0:33:02 > 0:33:03I walked across the street
0:33:03 > 0:33:06towards the back of where the bands were played,
0:33:06 > 0:33:08around the front and then to the side,
0:33:08 > 0:33:11I'm not going to lie, you could actually hear the noise
0:33:11 > 0:33:15but I didn't find as though it was offensive in any way, shape or form.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18The loudest band that we had on the day was between three o'clock
0:33:18 > 0:33:22and five o'clock in the afternoon. We then had a DJ on
0:33:22 > 0:33:25who played some mellow, kind of, reggae tunes afterwards
0:33:25 > 0:33:28and then we had an acoustic band on from six till eight,
0:33:28 > 0:33:31so the reason why I did it like that,
0:33:31 > 0:33:35I thought the noisier could be smack bang in the middle of the day
0:33:35 > 0:33:39and then, obviously, the acoustics should be a bit more mellow
0:33:39 > 0:33:41in the evening, and we ended at eight.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44Yes, that is a good plan in terms of, kind of,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47mellowing the music down later in the evening.
0:33:48 > 0:33:52The manager of the pub is clearly aware that the music festival
0:33:52 > 0:33:54could have disturbed the local residents
0:33:54 > 0:33:57and takes her responsibilities seriously.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01But Siobhan has to find out exactly what was going on
0:34:01 > 0:34:04and heads outside to see where the music was being played.
0:34:04 > 0:34:11- The bands were there. We did have like a big marquee up there. - All right, OK, yeah.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14And the speakers that they had for the PA,
0:34:14 > 0:34:18there was one just behind that brick wall and one just behind that brick wall
0:34:18 > 0:34:21facing out that way. The guys that were DJ-ing,
0:34:21 > 0:34:23their noise was at a complete minimum.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25The only band that was quite loud
0:34:25 > 0:34:28was the one we had between three and five.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31One of the complaints we did receive was in that time period,
0:34:31 > 0:34:34so at least you've maybe identified that if you have that band back,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37maybe just lower the level a little bit
0:34:37 > 0:34:41and then that would just eliminate the problem altogether, yeah?
0:34:41 > 0:34:43The manager is being very reasonable
0:34:43 > 0:34:46but having had some complaints Siobhan has to take action.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48Because we've received some complaints,
0:34:48 > 0:34:51we've had to send a standard letter out as well, OK?
0:34:51 > 0:34:54So, in there is a standard letter saying we've received a complaint
0:34:54 > 0:34:58and this is what it's from, from the bands that we just discussed,
0:34:58 > 0:35:02and, kind of, things you should be considering and putting into place,
0:35:02 > 0:35:05which we've kind of talked about,
0:35:05 > 0:35:09and also what would happen if we witnessed it being a nuisance,
0:35:09 > 0:35:12well, we call it a statutory nuisance, and then we kind of take...
0:35:12 > 0:35:16- Take it from there. - Yeah, take it from there, really.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18Inside there as well is a leaflet that you can get online
0:35:18 > 0:35:21from the Council but it's just added information.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24Just, kind of, the things we chatted about, OK?
0:35:24 > 0:35:26- Brilliant.- So, I think that should be it, really.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28- OK?- Fingers crossed.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31She may have been apprehensive earlier in the day,
0:35:31 > 0:35:34but now it's done, Siobhan is happy with how things went.
0:35:34 > 0:35:39Now that I've got my first complaint over, out of the way,
0:35:39 > 0:35:41I feel quite... Not quite relieved,
0:35:41 > 0:35:43but I also feel it's built a bit more confidence
0:35:43 > 0:35:45in what I'm actually doing
0:35:45 > 0:35:49and that what I do know I'm portraying across pretty well
0:35:49 > 0:35:52and also that their understanding is increased
0:35:52 > 0:35:54from what they need to be getting on with.
0:35:54 > 0:35:58And it seems her message has got through.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02If we are going to continue to be putting on these kind of festivals,
0:36:02 > 0:36:06obviously, we want everyone to try to get involved as much as possible.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10We do want, you know, local residents and local businesses
0:36:10 > 0:36:12not to be affected by that,
0:36:12 > 0:36:15or to feel as though they've been affected by it.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17And just keep noise to a minimum.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21Now that I do understand exactly what I can do to help in future,
0:36:21 > 0:36:25it was definitely, definitely a good meeting in terms of that.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29With the visit over, it's back to the office,
0:36:29 > 0:36:30where there are plenty more cases
0:36:30 > 0:36:33for Siobhan and her colleagues to deal with.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43In Westminster, problems with noisy neighbours
0:36:43 > 0:36:46are one of the Noise Squad's biggest issues.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49Noise Officer Steve Richardson
0:36:49 > 0:36:52has already dealt with a complaint about a noisy neighbour
0:36:52 > 0:36:55who had allegedly threatened violence in the past.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58Now, he's on his way to investigate a complaint
0:36:58 > 0:37:00about loud music in a block of flats.
0:37:01 > 0:37:06This is loud music.
0:37:06 > 0:37:11We're just making sure we've got the correct address.
0:37:11 > 0:37:17It's loud music the family have complained about,
0:37:17 > 0:37:19loud music from another flat.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22And we're going to go in and they've agreed we can visit,
0:37:22 > 0:37:25go in and take a listen to the music from within that flat.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29Before Steve confronts the noise maker, he's going to check in
0:37:29 > 0:37:33with one of their neighbours to assess how bad the problem is.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36Once inside, he can hear the music.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38BASS THUMPS
0:37:41 > 0:37:43How long's the music been playing for?
0:37:43 > 0:37:46Since eight o'clock, every weekend.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50Apparently when the parent's not home, the children, teenagers,
0:37:50 > 0:37:53they do parties and all that.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57But the weeks before, to be honest, what I used to do,
0:37:57 > 0:38:00I used to bang on the floor just so that they stop.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04But they just stop for about half an hour and then they start again.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07My children in the morning, when they wake up in the morning,
0:38:07 > 0:38:11they always say, "Dad, we couldn't sleep tonight
0:38:11 > 0:38:14"because of the music and the noise downstairs."
0:38:14 > 0:38:16And the trouble is, sometimes they end up
0:38:16 > 0:38:19with a fight, because they're teenagers.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22They start shouting, they go outside their flat as well.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26I spoke to the occupier there before.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30They're OK, I mean, they turned it down at that time.
0:38:30 > 0:38:31- That's right.- OK.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35The nuisance noise is having a big impact on this neighbour's life.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39You know when I go to work I always feel stressed
0:38:39 > 0:38:42and I always feel angry at work.
0:38:42 > 0:38:47Is it possible that I could just take a quick listen in the bedroom?
0:38:47 > 0:38:50If the children are in there then don't disturb them.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53But if I could stand so that the...
0:38:53 > 0:38:56It's nearly two o'clock in the morning
0:38:56 > 0:39:00and Steve can hear the music in the children's bedroom.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04It's still clearly audible here. I'm happy with that, yeah.
0:39:04 > 0:39:09I remember they gave me the occupier's details last time.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13I'm absolutely certain I've got the occupier's details.
0:39:13 > 0:39:18- We'll go and speak to them now. - All right, yeah.
0:39:18 > 0:39:23And hopefully, we'll get the music turned off for you now.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27But, at the very least, they will get a notice served on them.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32In Westminster, if Steve and his colleagues decide
0:39:32 > 0:39:34that someone is responsible for nuisance noise,
0:39:34 > 0:39:37they can serve them with a formal written notice.
0:39:39 > 0:39:44This means that a noise maker is legally obliged to quieten down.
0:39:44 > 0:39:49If the notice is ignored, they could face prosecution.
0:39:49 > 0:39:50Steve heads downstairs.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54It's time to have a word with the person who's making such a racket.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56OK.
0:39:57 > 0:40:03So, I'm happy it's a statutory nuisance there,
0:40:03 > 0:40:06so I'm going to go down and try and speak to some of the occupiers.
0:40:09 > 0:40:10The last time Steve was here,
0:40:10 > 0:40:14the music was turned off without any problems.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16MUSIC BLARES
0:40:36 > 0:40:40After a few minutes, the noise maker comes to the door.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44- Good morning. Hello.- Hello.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47- I think we've met before, haven't we?- Who are you?
0:40:47 > 0:40:49I'm from the Noise Team at Westminster.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51Our cameraman explains he's filming Steve.
0:40:51 > 0:40:57I want to announce myself to you. How about that? Hello.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59The noise maker might not care about her neighbours,
0:40:59 > 0:41:03but it seems she does care about being filmed behaving in an anti-social manner.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06Listen, why don't you switch off?
0:41:06 > 0:41:08Because I will switch you off myself.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11Steve decides to leave and as he does so
0:41:11 > 0:41:13the noise maker attacks the cameraman.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15SHOUTING
0:41:18 > 0:41:20Enough!
0:41:20 > 0:41:22Bleep, bleep.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24We are leaving.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28Despite Steve's best efforts to calm the situation,
0:41:28 > 0:41:33things soon go from bad to worse as our cameraman tries to leave.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35Can we have the police, please? I'm being assaulted.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44The cameraman was OK and undeterred and when the police arrived
0:41:44 > 0:41:48she was served with a written notice which seemed to do the trick.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51There were no further complaints and for this night at least,
0:41:51 > 0:41:54peace and quiet was restored to the neighbourhood.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05It's been a busy shift for the Noise Squad.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07Can you open the door, please?
0:42:09 > 0:42:12They've dealt with violent noise-makers...
0:42:12 > 0:42:14Trouble is, sometimes they end up with a fight,
0:42:14 > 0:42:15because they're teenagers,
0:42:15 > 0:42:18they start shouting, they go outside their flat as well.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20..a problematic party...
0:42:20 > 0:42:24You're getting reported to the university, all of you, for your behaviour.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27..and a trainee officer took on her first case.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31Just want to chat about what you had on, on the Saturday,
0:42:31 > 0:42:34what kind of things you put in place to measure any noise,
0:42:34 > 0:42:36if you did at all, and where it was.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39There's no let-up in the battle against
0:42:39 > 0:42:41anti-social nuisance noise, though,
0:42:41 > 0:42:46and plenty more cases still to be dealt with by the Noise Squad.
0:43:09 > 0:43:13Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:13 > 0:43:16E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk