0:00:03 > 0:00:07All over the UK, millions of people just like you and me
0:00:07 > 0:00:11are being driven up the wall by anti-social nuisance noise.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14At times you almost feel like you are going mad.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17A living nightmare. It's like, I don't want to be there any more.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Persistent parties...
0:00:19 > 0:00:22aggravating alarms...
0:00:22 > 0:00:25and banging builders.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28They're keeping us awake, disturbing our peace and quiet
0:00:28 > 0:00:30and driving us to despair.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33It really is stressful and irritating.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35It's just a nightmare.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37But the fightback is on!
0:00:37 > 0:00:40We're getting complaints about the noise.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44Across the country, dedicated enforcement teams are getting
0:00:44 > 0:00:47to grips with nuisance noise, 24/7.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51If it continues, we might have to come back and serve a notice.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53In the last couple of months,
0:00:53 > 0:00:56it's getting a lot worse which is when Westminster intervenes.
0:00:56 > 0:01:02Enough is enough. It's time to put an end to nuisance noise.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04If we come back, you get a £100 fine
0:01:04 > 0:01:07so you need to keep it down even after we go away, right?
0:01:07 > 0:01:10It's time to meet the no nonsense Noise Squad.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Raising the roof today on Noise Squad. The team pay a visit
0:01:28 > 0:01:30to an excessively loud family do.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32That is very loud.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37I've a right to celebrate. It's cost me a lot of money.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42A constant hum is driving one local resident to distraction.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46- You're laying on the corridor?- Yes, it was terrible. It was a shame.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49And officers get police back-up
0:01:49 > 0:01:52when they call on a party in a tower block.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55That's a written warning. Keep it turned down.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59The historic City of York.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02And just like every other local authority in the UK,
0:02:02 > 0:02:04it has a rich history of noise complaints.
0:02:04 > 0:02:10Last year, the City Council received 2,500 calls about nuisance noise.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14And the majority of these were about noisy parties in people's homes
0:02:14 > 0:02:16and commercial premises.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19LOUD MUSIC BLARES
0:02:21 > 0:02:24It's Saturday night, and for noise officer Anthony Dean,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27it's the busiest shift of the week.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29We're on till three tomorrow morning. Lucky us!
0:02:29 > 0:02:33He and his colleague Michael are in for a very busy night.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38We have 11 new messages. This is just crazy tonight.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42They're on their way to visit someone who's complained about a noisy pub.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45It's a pub well known to the Noise Squad.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48I have witnessed loud music previously,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51and when it happened we then spoke to the landlord of the pub
0:02:51 > 0:02:54and he tried to get it sorted out.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56Did turn it down, shut a few doors,
0:02:56 > 0:03:00and made sure that the volume was reduced a bit, so sometimes
0:03:00 > 0:03:03it may be a case of reminding him to do that for this event tonight.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06When they arrive at the complainant Martin's home,
0:03:06 > 0:03:10he claims that he's been putting up with the noise for hours.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13- It's been pretty bad all day, has it?- Since around one o'clock.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15I've had a dreadful week as it is
0:03:15 > 0:03:19cos there's been building work across there and erratic drilling
0:03:19 > 0:03:21and then I've got that there.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23It's about as much as you can take in a week.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25What time did you say the music stopped?
0:03:25 > 0:03:30It's quietened down now, but they're probably just changing over.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35I've had to shut my windows because it's got really loud.
0:03:35 > 0:03:40And on a summer's day like this, I shouldn't have to shut them, really.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44What type of noise have you been experiencing problems with?
0:03:44 > 0:03:49It started off...it's been heavy, I'd say heavy metal sort of music.
0:03:49 > 0:03:50All right, OK.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55And, I mean, for a residential area heavy metal is not really suitable.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Martin claims that this isn't the first time he's had to suffer
0:03:58 > 0:03:59noisy neighbours.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04I moved from another property because of the noise,
0:04:04 > 0:04:09and to actually start off here again, it's making me feel that
0:04:09 > 0:04:14I don't seem to have much right as a human being, really.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17There's nothing to hear now,
0:04:17 > 0:04:20but Michael and Anthony have decided to stick around
0:04:20 > 0:04:23for a bit longer to see if the noise comes back on.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26If the music starts again or if it gets rowdy again,
0:04:26 > 0:04:29we'll make an assessment from here. We'll do that.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Obviously, if after a few minutes, or 10 minutes or so
0:04:32 > 0:04:34it's not come back on, we'll have to go.
0:04:34 > 0:04:35We've got some other jobs to go to.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Anthony fields some more calls whilst they wait to see
0:04:40 > 0:04:43if the music starts up again.
0:04:43 > 0:04:48It doesn't, but at least that means Martin's got some peace and quiet.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51If it does start again, you've got a number to give us a bell.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54If it happens any other day of the week, like I said,
0:04:54 > 0:04:57our service does operate then as well, so give us a ring.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00Is that all right? Hopefully that'll be it. OK?
0:05:00 > 0:05:01- Right, thank you.- Cheers.
0:05:03 > 0:05:08For Anthony and Michael, the calls haven't stopped coming in.
0:05:08 > 0:05:13And a noisy party disturbing the entire street is their priority.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16I could actually hear loud music on the phone, which is unusual.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19We'll have a listen in the complainant's property
0:05:19 > 0:05:21and see if it's a nuisance.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23It's after 11 o'clock.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26When they arrive, they can hear the noise coming down the street.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34I can hear loud music in the street.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36We'll have a listen, and if it's a noise nuisance
0:05:36 > 0:05:40then we'll have a word with them, ask them to turn it down.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43If they don't, we may come back with the police.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45That is very loud.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56After assessing the noise from inside a complainant's home,
0:05:56 > 0:06:00Anthony and Michael decide they're going to take action.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Councils across the UK deal with nuisance noise
0:06:03 > 0:06:05in slightly different ways.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08Here in York, the Noise Squad can hand out an abatement notice
0:06:08 > 0:06:12straightaway, but in most cases they first serve a verbal
0:06:12 > 0:06:15or written warning giving perpetrators a chance
0:06:15 > 0:06:16to stop the noise.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20If the noise continues, then they'll serve a legal abatement notice.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22It that is breached they could be prosecuted,
0:06:22 > 0:06:26get a criminal record and a fine of up to five grand.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33At the party, Anthony needs to find out who is the responsible homeowner.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40Right. Is the owner of the property here? Is it yourself?
0:06:40 > 0:06:42Would you mind getting them for us?
0:06:42 > 0:06:44Just from the Council, from the noise patrol.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49Hiya, how you doing? How are you, you all right?
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Are you the occupier of this property? Hiya.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54We've had some complaints about the noise.
0:06:54 > 0:06:59- And it is excessively loud. - It's going to be calming down now.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02The house owner explains she's having a family do.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Me son-in-law's 50. It's the biggest party I've ever had.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09- I've never had this music before. - Yeah, well, what I'm saying is...
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Some of the party guests get involved.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14I...I will get them to turn it down!
0:07:14 > 0:07:17But turning the music down isn't good enough for Anthony.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- If I can try and do my job. Is that all right?- Yeah, of course it is!
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- We've had some complaints. - That it's a bit noisy.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27It's not a bit noisy, it's excessively noisy.
0:07:27 > 0:07:32If you let me continue. The noise we've heard is sufficiently loud
0:07:32 > 0:07:34to be called a statutory noise nuisance.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38What I'm going to say now is, I want you to turn it off
0:07:38 > 0:07:40and I want the music to be inside.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44It's half past 11 at night, and it's unacceptable.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49Anthony wants the outside music turned off completely,
0:07:49 > 0:07:51but he's not getting much co-operation.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Turn the music off outside, because...
0:07:53 > 0:07:57We're not going to turn it off, but we're going to turn it down.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00To be honest, I want it turned off outside, because...
0:08:00 > 0:08:03DRUNKEN CHATTER
0:08:03 > 0:08:07It's nearly midnight when most people are trying to get some sleep.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11Anthony serves a written warning to the householder to stop the noise.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14If she doesn't, she'll be served with an abatement notice,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17and ignoring that could lead to prosecution.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22I'm just giving you this, just so that you know we visited, OK?
0:08:22 > 0:08:25There's no sign of the music outside being turned off though.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28I want it off, you want to turn it down. You do what you like.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33But if it continues, and causes a noise nuisance,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36then we might have to come back and serve a notice. We don't want...
0:08:36 > 0:08:41- ..it's going on twice and it's going on thrice!- It's all right.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43What decibel would you like it at?
0:08:43 > 0:08:45I want it turned off externally and taken inside.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- Completely off?- Yeah.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50The house owner says to Michael this is a one-off.
0:08:50 > 0:08:57This is the first party I've had. There'll be no more...
0:08:57 > 0:08:59She explains the music's not as loud as before.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04I still think that's too loud. Absolutely.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07One of the partygoers asks who's complained.
0:09:07 > 0:09:08Why have you come here tonight?
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- I'm not at liberty to say... - Has somebody called you?
0:09:12 > 0:09:14We have had a number of complaints.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18- A number? One or two, or... - More than two complaints.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Eventually, the music gets turned off.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22My son-in-law's having his 50th party.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25I've a right to celebrate. It's cost me a lot of money.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28It's only once. There'll be no more for a year.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30She offers to change the music, though.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32I'll chill out to Barry Manilow, how's that?
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Well, let's hope Barry is played at a much quieter volume,
0:09:35 > 0:09:39for the sake of the neighbours and her guests!
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Written warning served, the officers leave the scene,
0:09:42 > 0:09:45but Anthony's not convinced his job is done.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51See? It's still going on. We'll give them ten minutes.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54They've turned it down and off. It's kind of coming on and off.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58I suspect we'll have more complaints this evening, so...we'll be back!
0:09:59 > 0:10:03And Anthony's right. We'll be back with him as he returns to try
0:10:03 > 0:10:06and quieten down these rowdy revellers.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10I can hear The Wonder of You being sung very loudly.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14And as the shift continues, he and Michael are called
0:10:14 > 0:10:18to yet another party that's got seriously out of hand.
0:10:18 > 0:10:19There's a few of you guys here!
0:10:19 > 0:10:23Well, when there's officers needing assistance, you get everybody.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34It's a busy Thursday morning in central London.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36The sun is shining, the streets are buzzing,
0:10:36 > 0:10:40and it's business as usual for the Westminster Noise Squad.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43As a Proactive Officer, part of Ian Mifsud's job is to
0:10:43 > 0:10:47monitor complaints over a period of time.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53The Reactive deal with, basically, live cases which are ongoing
0:10:53 > 0:10:57on the spot, and so they try and attend on-site as soon as possible,
0:10:57 > 0:11:03whereas Proactive, we deal with problematic and long-running cases
0:11:03 > 0:11:07which might need a bit more attention, contacting more people
0:11:07 > 0:11:12and maybe sitting in for a bit longer to try and source the noise.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18One of Ian's cases has been puzzling him for months.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22He's trying to get to the bottom of a mysterious humming sound.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26It's a phenomenon the Noise Squad have come across before,
0:11:26 > 0:11:30and in this case, it's causing an older lady sleepless nights.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Going to a lady called Ms Vyetuz,
0:11:34 > 0:11:37and she's lived here for about nine years or so.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40The problem is, in the last three years she's been experiencing
0:11:40 > 0:11:42low frequency noise and vibration.
0:11:42 > 0:11:47And that is causing her significant distress.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50It's said to be losing her balance and she has claimed other things
0:11:50 > 0:11:53like parts of her body vibrating at the same time.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56So we're just going to have a word with her and see what she...
0:11:56 > 0:11:59erm, see how she is, cos it's been a couple of weeks or so
0:11:59 > 0:12:02that I haven't gone to see her.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05And also just to let her know where we are in the investigation.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09Not all nuisance noise is necessarily loud.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13It can be a constant or repetitive sound that stands out
0:12:13 > 0:12:17from the usual background noise. And it can drive you to distraction.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22Ian heads off to catch up with the complainant.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26And obviously the electricity box was another possibility, but...
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Ah, because that electricity box is...
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Ian has continued to visit this lady and show his support.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35Even though he has not heard the elusive noise or felt vibrations,
0:12:35 > 0:12:39he is determined to help her overcome this torment.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- You haven't slept in your bed for how long?- Two weeks.- Two weeks.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46- And every night here?- Only when sitting here.- Only here.
0:12:46 > 0:12:47Because here is milder...
0:12:47 > 0:12:52But last night was quite terrible. It was...bloody noise.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54You felt it through the whole house.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58- Yes! It's terrible! It was a shame! - Yeah.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01I've been round numerous times, even at times when
0:13:01 > 0:13:04she has been able to hear it, and also done my best to hear it,
0:13:04 > 0:13:06but I haven't been able to.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10I've stuck my ear against the wall, haven't been able to hear it.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Put my hand against the wall, no vibration felt, but
0:13:13 > 0:13:16she's adamant that this is ongoing, and going on for hours at a time.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23The lady has taken strength from her faith to help her through
0:13:23 > 0:13:24these difficult times.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28I pray quite a lot. I ask someone else,
0:13:28 > 0:13:33- "Give me help!" Because it cannot carry on like that.- I understand.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- I'm in good health. - Numerous people in the country
0:13:36 > 0:13:40have this problem as well, so, you know, it's not just yourself.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Ms Vyetuz has also gone to the doctors,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45to try and figure out if it's going on with herself,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48cos she genuinely wants to figure out if that's the issue.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53The doctors come back and say no, she's all right, you know,
0:13:53 > 0:13:56psychologically and health wise. There's no issues there.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58You said before, last time I was here, that it
0:13:58 > 0:14:01- seemed to come from this wall as well.- Yes.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04The noise and vibrations from the walls get so bad that she often
0:14:04 > 0:14:10has to move her bed in the middle of the night just to get some peace.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15It may feel like it, but this sufferer is not alone.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18For decades, people around the world have been
0:14:18 > 0:14:22plagued by an elusive buzzing sound known as the Hum.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Some have blamed gas pipes or power lines.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28Others think the cause could be over-sensitive hearing.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32For those affected, the noise is painful, vivid and constant.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36This dull drone can make people's lives a misery,
0:14:36 > 0:14:40and unfortunately, a solution is often difficult to find.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43We have done some monitoring that might have picked up something,
0:14:43 > 0:14:48but it's nothing solid. Something slightly unusual was there,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51but it's not just a matter of picking up noise,
0:14:51 > 0:14:54it's trying to source it and figure out where it's coming from,
0:14:54 > 0:14:59and we haven't been able to do that because it's so low frequency.
0:14:59 > 0:15:00And unusual.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Now, like I've explained before,
0:15:02 > 0:15:08it's quite difficult to pinpoint where it's coming from because
0:15:08 > 0:15:12we can't hear it, and also be able to action it because of that reason.
0:15:12 > 0:15:17However, remember when we did some monitoring here with the equipment?
0:15:17 > 0:15:21We've got those results and sent them to the Housing Association,
0:15:21 > 0:15:26and we've said, "Look, this is what we've found, can you deal with it?"
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Whatever the cause, the truth is out there,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32and Ian is determined to find this lady some help.
0:15:39 > 0:15:40Back at the office,
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Ian thinks he may have found an organisation that can help.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47He is researching the low frequency noise phenomenon
0:15:47 > 0:15:51known as the Hum, which has so far eluded him.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53This is the first one that I've come across.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57I don't think the team has had too many others.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00But I did contact the Low Frequency Noise Support Group and
0:16:00 > 0:16:03they mentioned that it is a bit of a national phenomenon.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05And they call it a phenomenon cos it is
0:16:05 > 0:16:08mysterious as well as to the cause of where it is coming from.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12I've received mixed messages, even from the support group.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15They have said it can be linked with tinnitus.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19Other times they mention that it's to do with, you know, power lines.
0:16:19 > 0:16:24It can be a range of sources, and also remedy also depends on
0:16:24 > 0:16:28the person as well, and they've recommended various techniques
0:16:28 > 0:16:31on their website, such as yoga, relaxation DVDs.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35We are here to help the residents of Westminster. We do what we can,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38given our resources, to be able to help as much as possible,
0:16:38 > 0:16:42and I have a bit of time to be able to do that with Ms Vyetuz.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45I've gone a few times to try and resolve it and liaise with
0:16:45 > 0:16:48the Housing Association to see if they can resolve it.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50The mystery remains...
0:16:50 > 0:16:53but Ian has found support which may provide some comfort.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58The mysterious hum may have eluded Ian,
0:16:58 > 0:17:02but he'll have no trouble hearing the Big Noise in Little China.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Air conditioning units are creating a cacophony of sound,
0:17:09 > 0:17:12and instead of keeping local residents cool,
0:17:12 > 0:17:16their temperatures are rising due to this constant blast of noise.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23What happens is the noise kind of ricochets around this courtyard
0:17:23 > 0:17:27and it all culminates to create a nuisance to these guys over here.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33Will Ian be able to conquer this Great Wall of Sound?
0:17:41 > 0:17:44In York, it's a case of Saturday night fever
0:17:44 > 0:17:47as complaints about loud music turn up the heat for
0:17:47 > 0:17:50noise officer Anthony Dean and his colleague Michael.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54Oh, strewth! Got another two messages.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57They've already served a written warning to a party holder
0:17:57 > 0:17:59whose music was blaring out into the street.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03But before they've had a chance to head off to investigate
0:18:03 > 0:18:06another complaint, the party music is back on...
0:18:10 > 0:18:11..and it's as loud as ever!
0:18:14 > 0:18:17We've had a further complaint so we're still round the corner.
0:18:17 > 0:18:22I can hear The Wonder of You being sung very loudly in the background.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25I suspect it's going to be another nuisance and we may well have
0:18:25 > 0:18:28to serve notice. We'll visit the complainant again,
0:18:28 > 0:18:31and make an assessment in their property.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35An abatement notice is more serious than a written warning.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39It's a legal document telling perpetrators to stop the noise.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43If they don't, they'll have to pay the consequences in court
0:18:43 > 0:18:46and could end up with a criminal record.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Anthony and Michael have called the police for back-up
0:18:49 > 0:18:51to serve the notice.
0:18:53 > 0:18:58But once they and the police arrive at the property, it's all gone quiet.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02Sorry about that. They've turned it off, but it's been excessively loud.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06We've had about seven or eight different complaints in the area.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09The lads have witnessed nuisance noise.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11But rather than serving the notice now,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14they've decided it would be better to do it another day.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17They've just turned it off, so rather than antagonise
0:19:17 > 0:19:20the situation and go and serve a notice now, what we will do is
0:19:20 > 0:19:24serve a notice early part of next week on the owner, and basically
0:19:24 > 0:19:27that means if they have any further parties in the next year or so
0:19:27 > 0:19:31that cause a problem, we may well be able to take action against them.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33By ignoring the written warning,
0:19:33 > 0:19:37these partygoers have made the situation far worse for themselves.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39The Noise Squad will be back,
0:19:39 > 0:19:42to serve the house owner with a noise abatement notice.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Now the only thing to stand between her and a court summons,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48is another noisy party.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52Anthony and Michael might have brought peace and quiet to this street,
0:19:52 > 0:19:56but there are still plenty more calls for them to attend to.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00We're going to a complaint, I think it's another party complaint.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03The guy's phoned three times this evening, so it's still going on.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07So we're going to go there and have a listen now.
0:20:07 > 0:20:08The police are here, as well!
0:20:08 > 0:20:11It's after one in the morning when the lads arrive.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13I'm just going to wander down.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17As they get out of the car, it's clear a lot has been going on.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19Gracious! There's a few of you guys here!
0:20:19 > 0:20:23Well, when there's officers needing assistance you get everybody.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- One man and his dog, eh? - Yeah, afraid so.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29A big party seems to have overspilled into the street,
0:20:29 > 0:20:32so the police have actually been involved.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36We'll have a word with the occupants of the property where the party was,
0:20:36 > 0:20:40to tell them from our perspective what's going on. The police are
0:20:40 > 0:20:42dealing with the other angle. We'll have a look.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44This is quite a big one, isn't it?
0:20:44 > 0:20:47There are plenty of flashing blue lights,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50and whilst it's up to the police to handle anti-social
0:20:50 > 0:20:53or unruly behaviour, it's Anthony and Michael's job,
0:20:53 > 0:20:57as noise abatement officers, to enforce the laws on nuisance noise.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02But it seems the occupier of the house isn't able to talk to them.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- So who owns this property? - He's in the back of the van.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Right. Is he going to be taken down to the cells?
0:21:07 > 0:21:09- That's correct, yeah. - OK.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12The occupier and two others have been arrested,
0:21:12 > 0:21:14and are in the back of the police van.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17We've arrested the main offenders and the party's over, so...
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Right, in which case we will update our complainant
0:21:20 > 0:21:23and thank you very much for your time.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26With the party over and the situation calmer,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29this property is beginning to look familiar to Anthony.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32I've had complaints about this address previously.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35The occupier of the house might not have been available for a chat,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38but Anthony is still going to take action.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41We'll write to the owner of the property to warn him
0:21:41 > 0:21:44about the consequences of causing a noise nuisance in the future.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49He'll make sure this noise-maker gets a written warning.
0:21:49 > 0:21:54Yeah, we've got one more message. One more complaint to deal with.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58There's nothing more for Anthony and Michael to do at this address,
0:21:58 > 0:22:02and with a long list of calls still to deal with, they jump in the car.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Oh, good evening, it's Anthony Dean here from the council again, hiya.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09I haven't had a call, so the noise is still happening, is that right?
0:22:09 > 0:22:12If you're being disturbed by noisy neighbours,
0:22:12 > 0:22:16or any other type of nuisance noise, you don't have to put up with it.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19Your local council are on hand to deal with it.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21So pick up the phone and give them a call.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26It's now nearly 1:30 in the morning and it's on to the next complaint.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28It's this one here.
0:22:28 > 0:22:29We've got another complaint.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32This one is about disco noise coming from a pub.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36It's been going on according to the complainant for the last
0:22:36 > 0:22:41two hours, so we'll finally be able to get there and listen to it.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45The complainant seems fairly reasonable, a bit frustrated
0:22:45 > 0:22:48it's still going on, so we'll go and have a listen.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55It's a busy night for the lads They can barely catch their breath.
0:22:55 > 0:22:56Adrenaline keeps you going.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00Hopefully, having a bit of a sleep during the day gives you
0:23:00 > 0:23:04a chance to recuperate slightly. But, yeah, it's mainly adrenaline
0:23:04 > 0:23:08and I enjoy doing the job, and when you enjoy doing the job,
0:23:08 > 0:23:12even though it's tiring, it keeps you going because it's exciting.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16When they arrive, the sound of early '80s pop music is blasting out.
0:23:21 > 0:23:22There they are.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26Music might be the food of love,
0:23:26 > 0:23:29but it's not so lovable when it's played on...
0:23:31 > 0:23:32..and on...
0:23:35 > 0:23:39..spilling into the streets for hours into the night.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41This is full on, but it's not on!
0:23:41 > 0:23:46First stop is a visit to Daniel who rang in to complain,
0:23:46 > 0:23:48and I don't blame him!
0:23:48 > 0:23:51We'll make the assessment from a noise nuisance point of view,
0:23:51 > 0:23:55then go round and see what's going on, in terms of what doors are open
0:23:55 > 0:23:59and licence type issues, and then go and have a word with them.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02Daniel and his family have been trying to get to sleep.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06The officers head upstairs to assess how loud the noise is there.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09This is our bedroom here. I've got the children upstairs.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11- My wife's moved upstairs because of the noise.- OK.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15Anthony and Michael spend some time listening from the bedroom.
0:24:15 > 0:24:16Is it that time already?
0:24:16 > 0:24:20I apologise so much we couldn't get to you earlier.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24We've had, I think, about 32 or 33 phone calls tonight.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27It's after 1:30 in the morning.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31Daniel's patience has been sorely tested, and no wonder.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33I don't know what they're thinking of,
0:24:33 > 0:24:36to have this sort of music in this sort of area.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40It's a residential area. There's a school boarding house opposite.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44And to have the doors open and everything else, it's quite bizarre.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46And if it were to be a loud evening do,
0:24:46 > 0:24:49I would expect the manager to come round and say, "Look, there's
0:24:49 > 0:24:53a do going on," that sort of thing, but not a sight or sound of them.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Anthony and Michael assess the noise.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Being able to make out the lyrics,
0:24:58 > 0:25:02the thump of the bass or higher frequency sounds are all
0:25:02 > 0:25:05indicators that a nuisance noise is being caused.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Sounds like the Doobie Brothers.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17Without love, where would we be now?
0:25:17 > 0:25:21I'm guessing Daniel and his family aren't feeling too much love
0:25:21 > 0:25:24towards the hotel where the noise is coming from right now.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27Anthony and Michael are on the case, though,
0:25:27 > 0:25:30and this music is ticking all the boxes for nuisance noise.
0:25:30 > 0:25:35..creating some higher frequencies. The saxophone singing, "Oo-ooh!"
0:25:35 > 0:25:39It's kind of perverse. Everyone's got that beat constantly going on...
0:25:39 > 0:25:41I'm happy it's a noise nuisance.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45They decide to take action and pay the hotel a visit.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49We'll have a word with them and say this is what's going on.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51We'll have a little wander round.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55Outside, the lads have another listen to the noise.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59You've got a brick wall here, and it's still coming through.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01LOUD MUSIC BLARING
0:26:05 > 0:26:07This racket is unacceptable.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11We'll be with Anthony and Michael when they go to visit the hotel.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14The question is, will they make themselves heard?
0:26:15 > 0:26:18In Westminster, noise from restaurant extractor fans is
0:26:18 > 0:26:21unbearable for nearby residents.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24The noise kind of ricochets around this courtyard and it all
0:26:24 > 0:26:27kind of culminates to create a nuisance to these guys over here.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32And in Belfast a raucous party in a tower block ends up
0:26:32 > 0:26:34with a visit from the Noise Squad, and the police.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37That's a written warning. Keep it turned down.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Right across the country, other people's noise is making life hell
0:26:47 > 0:26:49for millions of people.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52People like you and me.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56This music was turned on at full volume.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58I kept asking them to stop it, but it was just
0:26:58 > 0:27:02happening over and over and over. Driving me insane, basically.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06It can upset your whole living routine, you know.
0:27:06 > 0:27:11Even to the point where you can't go to work because you're up all night.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17Like most big cities in the UK, the biggest noise problem
0:27:17 > 0:27:20here in Belfast comes from loud music and late night parties.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26Everyone likes a get-together, but when it's disturbing the neighbours,
0:27:26 > 0:27:29that's when people call the Noise Squad.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31We're getting complaints from your neighbours.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33The music is far too loud, right?
0:27:33 > 0:27:37You need to turn it down or you'll end up getting fined later on.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41The Belfast Noise Team nightshift nearly always have at least
0:27:41 > 0:27:45one rowdy bash to quieten down. And tonight is no exception.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49Tim and Philip have over 13 years' experience
0:27:49 > 0:27:51on the Noise Squad between them.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Much of the job of quietening parties
0:27:53 > 0:27:55is the gentle art of negotiation.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58It can be very challenging at times
0:27:58 > 0:28:00when you're on the doorstep with someone
0:28:00 > 0:28:02who's very annoyed with you
0:28:02 > 0:28:04for coming to them to tell them to be quiet.
0:28:04 > 0:28:09So it does take skill and mediation. You always have to be on your toes.
0:28:09 > 0:28:14You always have to be alert, and that can be very draining at times.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16But it can be very rewarding.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20It's after midnight on a Sunday and the noise team have had
0:28:20 > 0:28:26a complaint from a neighbour being kept awake by some banging tunes.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30Tonight's party is in a block of flats the noise team know well.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32They're going to serve a notice,
0:28:32 > 0:28:34and to make sure things don't get out of hand,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37they've asked the police for assistance.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40We've had a complaint from one of the tower blocks, so we've
0:28:40 > 0:28:44written our notice up. We're just waiting on the police to call out.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46These flats would be...sort of,
0:28:46 > 0:28:50fairly regular, there would be disturbances in them.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54Tim and Philip meet up with the Police officers in the car park.
0:28:54 > 0:28:55OK, let's go.
0:29:01 > 0:29:06As they go in to serve the notice, Tim briefs the officers.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09It was so loud when we were sitting out there waiting for you.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11We could hear it in the car.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13So it might be off now, but...
0:29:13 > 0:29:17If the noise-maker carries on making noise
0:29:17 > 0:29:21after the notice has been served, they're liable to a £100 fine.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23Will we wait?
0:29:25 > 0:29:30These situations can escalate if the noise-makers are drunk
0:29:30 > 0:29:32or decide to be difficult.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Got somebody's attention, anyway.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44Finally, someone comes to the door.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49I'm with the Council's noise service.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51- Can you get me someone who lives there?- That's me.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55Tim lays down the law to the noisy resident.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58We've had a complaint from the neighbours about the noise.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01I need you to keep the music turned down.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03It's still on, so it is...
0:30:03 > 0:30:04If we come back you'll get a £100 fine,
0:30:04 > 0:30:07so keep it down even after we go away, right?
0:30:07 > 0:30:09That's a written warning.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12You don't have to turn it off, but keep it down, all right?
0:30:12 > 0:30:14No shouting off the balcony either, all right?
0:30:14 > 0:30:17I haven't been shouting over the balcony.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20Well, that's OK. If you haven't, that's no problem.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Cheers, mate, thank you.
0:30:22 > 0:30:27This noise-maker is quick to take Tim's advice on board. Job done.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29That's it, aye?
0:30:29 > 0:30:33Yeah, no problem. Thanks very much for coming out, guys.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36If only all parties were as easy to quieten.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41It's really hard to judge when you get loud music like that.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44All I was getting was there might be people in there
0:30:44 > 0:30:47that were difficult to approach on our own.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50We do have previous incidents in those flats where
0:30:50 > 0:30:54you tend to take the police anyway, so, erm...
0:30:54 > 0:30:57It went well and, you know, he seemed reasonable enough, and,
0:30:57 > 0:31:02hopefully he's going to keep it turned down. Job done.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06Thankfully this noise-maker was happy to pipe down.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09And with no more complaints about the party that night,
0:31:09 > 0:31:12the team didn't have to take any further action.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Westminster Council serves the heart of London.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23The resident population now stands at a quarter of a million but
0:31:23 > 0:31:27up to one million people set foot in Westminster on any given day.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33Earlier, Proactive Noise Squad Officer, Ian Mifsud,
0:31:33 > 0:31:36was investigating an elusive buzzing sound known as the Hum.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38It was upsetting a local resident.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41- You felt it throughout the whole house.- Terrible...!
0:31:41 > 0:31:46Ian's trying to find out where the mysterious hum is coming from.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49But there's no mystery when it comes to the cacophony of sound
0:31:49 > 0:31:52coming from some noisy blighters in Little China.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58Ian is now in Chinatown, investigating ongoing
0:31:58 > 0:32:01complaints from local residents about the incessant drones
0:32:01 > 0:32:06coming from the air conditioning units of nearby restaurants.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08This is a property just on the side of Chinatown,
0:32:08 > 0:32:11actually within the Chinatown area as you can see here.
0:32:11 > 0:32:16And there's some residents that live in some bedsits
0:32:16 > 0:32:19just on the side of this courtyard and the unusual thing about
0:32:19 > 0:32:23this courtyard is there's about twenty premises that surround it.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26Now, most of those commercial premises have either
0:32:26 > 0:32:30air conditioning units, extraction fans
0:32:30 > 0:32:34or refrigeration compressors all giving on to the courtyard.
0:32:34 > 0:32:35And they make a lot of noise.
0:32:35 > 0:32:40Residential flats back on to this area with dozens of restaurants
0:32:40 > 0:32:43and their air conditioning units.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50The combined blast of noise is overwhelming for the neighbours.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54This is the courtyard,
0:32:54 > 0:32:59so obviously there's a lot going on here, particularly regarding
0:32:59 > 0:33:04the air conditioning units here, and there's extraction fans up there.
0:33:04 > 0:33:09There's also a lift shaft over here, and compressor units at the top.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12And all this block here is where the residents live.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18So there's about six bedsits on this side over here.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21What happens is the noise kind of ricochets around this courtyard
0:33:21 > 0:33:25and it all kind of culminates to create a nuisance to these guys over here.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28I have to speak with the residents. I believe for the last year,
0:33:28 > 0:33:30it's becoming progressively worse.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34So it was horrible a while ago, but in the last couple of months
0:33:34 > 0:33:38it's been getting a lot worse which is when Westminster intervened.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40And because it's the Chinatown area,
0:33:40 > 0:33:44it's actually almost a 24 hour commercial area,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47so restaurants stay open till three, four, five in the morning,
0:33:47 > 0:33:52and then another one will start up, so it's a 24 hour issue.
0:33:52 > 0:33:56The air conditioning may be keeping the restaurants cool,
0:33:56 > 0:33:59but some hot-headed residents have barricaded their windows
0:33:59 > 0:34:02in an attempt to keep the horrendous drone out.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06As part of St James Wood Proactive Office, it was my job to
0:34:06 > 0:34:08make initial contact with that person.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11I arranged to have a meeting in his house and, obviously,
0:34:11 > 0:34:15he'd been really distressed about it but didn't know who to contact.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18He had done his best to pay for double glazing,
0:34:18 > 0:34:20Also, do all this insulation,
0:34:20 > 0:34:23temporary insulation against the windows which is blocking him
0:34:23 > 0:34:26from any sunlight or making it very difficult for him
0:34:26 > 0:34:29to open any windows. He'd also made a partition
0:34:29 > 0:34:32within his house to try and create some type of insulation again
0:34:32 > 0:34:35from the noise, so he can live throughout the day
0:34:35 > 0:34:39and throughout the night in a relatively comfortable situation.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42But I've been there and it's still not acceptable.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45It's still way too loud for it to be kept at this level.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49Ian goes to check on the noisiest culprit.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52This bad boy is blasting its unwelcome symphony
0:34:52 > 0:34:54to the infuriated neighbours.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01This is the most problematic one. This is the one that's loudest.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05The reason we know that is that we've done some investigations,
0:35:05 > 0:35:08having one of my colleagues in the resident's flat as well as me
0:35:08 > 0:35:12down the restaurant asking them to switch it off and switch it on.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16The difference is significant enough for us to take action on that.
0:35:16 > 0:35:21These residents' complaints to the Noise Squad have led Ian to confront
0:35:21 > 0:35:25the manager of the restaurant with the unacceptable noise levels.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27He has visited this restaurant before
0:35:27 > 0:35:31and is trying to find a resolution that will satisfy everyone.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34And obviously...and your extraction is the loudest, as well,
0:35:34 > 0:35:39so we need to try and resolve your extraction fan as soon as possible.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46So what's happened basically is, the person who I was in contact with
0:35:46 > 0:35:50last time has actually retired, and now this is a new manager.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52So I've just updated him on the situation.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56He was semi-aware of the issues that were going on,
0:35:56 > 0:35:59but basically, my recommendation to him
0:35:59 > 0:36:03was rather than get in an engineer straightaway,
0:36:03 > 0:36:06I don't want them to do the works. The noise problem will still remain,
0:36:06 > 0:36:10cos that will cost a lot of money and we'll still have an issue,
0:36:10 > 0:36:12so Westminster will still be on their back.
0:36:12 > 0:36:17And so my recommendation was to contact an acoustic consultant
0:36:17 > 0:36:22preferably who are certified from the Institute of Acoustics.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25I've given him the website and there's a whole list of
0:36:25 > 0:36:28consultants who they can contract to be able to do some tests and do some
0:36:28 > 0:36:34proper monitoring about how they can resolve the issue once and for all.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37Noise like this just isn't acceptable in residential areas.
0:36:37 > 0:36:42Since Ian's visit, the restaurant has carried out some improvements.
0:36:42 > 0:36:47And if there are further complaints, the Noise Squad will be back.
0:36:55 > 0:37:00In York, noise officer Anthony Dean, and his colleague Michael
0:37:00 > 0:37:03are dealing with loud music coming from a hotel function.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06LOUD MUSIC BLARES
0:37:09 > 0:37:12After witnessing the noise from inside and outside
0:37:12 > 0:37:14the complainant's property,
0:37:14 > 0:37:17Anthony and Michael have heard enough. This noise is a nuisance.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25It's time for the hotel to face the music.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28They appear to have a kind of disco in there.
0:37:28 > 0:37:29The side doors are actually open,
0:37:29 > 0:37:33which I suspect they probably shouldn't be on their licence.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37So I want to speak to their Designated Premises Supervisor,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40who's responsible for the licence, which is issued under
0:37:40 > 0:37:43the Licensing Act to make sure that they comply
0:37:43 > 0:37:46with certain aspects, particularly relating to public nuisance.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50Every licensed premises in York gets its licence from the council.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54On it are strict rules about noise control.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57If these rules are breached and officers witness nuisance noise,
0:37:57 > 0:38:00extra conditions can be added.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03In extreme cases a business could even
0:38:03 > 0:38:04lose its licence.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Once inside, Anthony speaks to the man in charge who tells him
0:38:09 > 0:38:13they're hosting a triplet's 40th birthday party.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17He's very apologetic and the music is turned off straightaway.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19He said, "I don't know who's responsible,"
0:38:19 > 0:38:22whether it was the staff that opened the doors,
0:38:22 > 0:38:24or whether it was one of the guests.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26We're going to write to him, and also contact
0:38:26 > 0:38:30our licensing department, so he knows it's going to be followed up.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32He's apologised, and the music's off.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36He was quite apologetic, so it's a good outcome, really.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38And off we go.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40It's been a busy Saturday night for the lads,
0:38:40 > 0:38:43and it's time to head back to the office.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47I actually just have five minutes to chill out and not do anything.
0:38:47 > 0:38:52Back at Noise Squad headquarters, Anthony reflects on a busy shift.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Ridiculously busy. We left about half past nine
0:38:56 > 0:39:00on Saturday night and we've got back about quarter to three.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03I haven't been back to the office since.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06Constant phone calls, we had eleven messages waiting.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10Yeah, it's been crazy really.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14I'm looking forward to a day off on Monday, and back to work on Tuesday!
0:39:14 > 0:39:16Ah, it's good to have a drink.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19Anthony, that's a very well deserved cuppa.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21This shift might be over,
0:39:21 > 0:39:24but it's not the end of the story for two of the cases.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30The following week, Anthony's colleague Fiona returned
0:39:30 > 0:39:34to the hotel with Nigel from the council's licensing department.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37They met up with the man Anthony spoke to at the hotel,
0:39:37 > 0:39:39to go over the conditions of the licence,
0:39:39 > 0:39:42and make sure there will be no repeat of that noisy birthday party.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46I'll tell you why the door would be open, though. Even now,
0:39:46 > 0:39:48- it is warm in here, isn't it? - It is, yes.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51I mean, on the 25th again, it was a lovely evening.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54We do have aircon, the aircon can be on. We can keep the door closed.
0:39:54 > 0:39:59Tony's promised to check the noise levels more closely in future.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02And he says he'll make sure the hotel is a good neighbour.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04We will do our bit,
0:40:04 > 0:40:07and we'll make sure that we respect the neighbours in the area.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11His case complies with both the premises licence conditions
0:40:11 > 0:40:15and the noise legislation, so hopefully we won't need to come again.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19That's all great, or is it?
0:40:19 > 0:40:23Less than two weeks after Fiona's visit, there were further complaints
0:40:23 > 0:40:28about nuisance noise from this hotel and a notice has been served.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32We'll be hearing more about that later in the series.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35But what about the 50th birthday party
0:40:35 > 0:40:38Anthony and Michael had to deal with?
0:40:39 > 0:40:41Well, an abatement notice was drawn up
0:40:41 > 0:40:44and a few days later, Michael's on his way to serve it.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49Sometimes that's like a final warning to people.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52It doesn't become an offence until after that's been served
0:40:52 > 0:40:55and if we can serve that and it stops it in the future,
0:40:55 > 0:40:59then that could prevent anything else from going out of hand.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03When he arrives, there's no-one home.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07Hello, it's Michael from the council.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10But that doesn't stop him serving the notice.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14I've served the notice to reinforce what we did the other night.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17We spoke to them, we said keep it down.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20Now they realise that we'll take action if we do witness a breach.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23Hopefully, it will be quiet from now on.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26The onus is upon her now. The notice has been served,
0:41:26 > 0:41:30she has to keep the noise down, it's her responsibility.
0:41:30 > 0:41:35With an abatement notice now served, if officers witness any more
0:41:35 > 0:41:37nuisance noise coming from this house,
0:41:37 > 0:41:41this lady faces the possibility of having any noisy possessions
0:41:41 > 0:41:45confiscated, a day in the magistrates court and a hefty fine.
0:41:45 > 0:41:49And that wouldn't be a cause for celebration.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56It's been a busy shift for the Noise Squad.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59Oh, strewth. We've got another two messages.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03They've dealt with raucous family get-togethers...
0:42:03 > 0:42:05DRUNKEN CHATTER
0:42:06 > 0:42:08..rowdy parties...
0:42:08 > 0:42:10If we come back, you get a £100 fine
0:42:10 > 0:42:12so keep it down after we go away, right?
0:42:12 > 0:42:14That's a written warning.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16You don't have to turn it off. Keep it down, all right?
0:42:16 > 0:42:20..and the mother of all extractor fans.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25What happens is the noise kind of ricochets around this courtyard
0:42:25 > 0:42:27and it all kind of culminates
0:42:27 > 0:42:30to create a nuisance to these guys over here.
0:42:30 > 0:42:35There's no let up in the battle against anti-social nuisance noise.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39And plenty more cases still to be dealt with by the Noise Squad.
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