0:00:03 > 0:00:06All over the UK millions of people just like you
0:00:06 > 0:00:11and me are being driven up the wall by anti-social nuisance noise.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14There are 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 here any more.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Persistent parties,
0:00:19 > 0:00:23aggravating alarms and banging builders.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25They're keeping us awake,
0:00:25 > 0:00:30disturbing our peace and quiet and driving us to despair.
0:00:30 > 0:00:35It makes me feel I don't seem to have much right as a human being, really.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37But the fight back is on.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40You need to come down, we're getting complaints about the noise.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Across the country dedicated enforcement teams
0:00:43 > 0:00:47are getting to grips with nuisance noise 24/seven.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49You need to make sure you're not disturbing anybody.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52The assessment at 11:15 was,
0:00:52 > 0:00:54the noise from here was too loud at that time.
0:00:54 > 0:00:55Enough is enough.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58It's time to put an end to nuisance noise.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00You couldn't do much work with that going on.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04We're here today to seize some equipment because of an offence committed over the weekend.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08It's time to meet the no nonsense noise squad.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25Cracking down on nuisance noise today
0:01:25 > 0:01:29the Noise Squad tackle a street party with a blasting loud speaker.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32LOUD MUSIC
0:01:35 > 0:01:37A noisy pub's live music
0:01:37 > 0:01:41and chattering customers are driving local residents mad.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44The noise was sufficient with the window open for those people
0:01:44 > 0:01:46to be affected if they were trying to sleep.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50And officers are making sure that the noise levels from a big screen
0:01:50 > 0:01:52don't create a nuisance.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54My view is the worst case scenario,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56in terms of disturbance, is what we're here to look at.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Westminster, in the heart of London,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05is home to around a quarter of a million people
0:02:05 > 0:02:07and when the temperature goes up,
0:02:07 > 0:02:10so do the complaints to the council's Noise Squad.
0:02:10 > 0:02:16Summer time is always a busy time for us, because people are out more,
0:02:16 > 0:02:20there's more drinking going on, doors and windows are open.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23It's a cocktail that results in more noise complaints.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26And the noise spreading further than it normally would.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29When we get a warm weekend we know we're going to be busy.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32George Christian has worked for the Noise Team for three years
0:02:32 > 0:02:34and when it comes to dealing with nuisance noise makers,
0:02:34 > 0:02:38he's not afraid to get tough in order to solve the problem.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41What I'd like to do is serve you with a Section 60 notice just to
0:02:41 > 0:02:46make sure that you actually conform to the acceptable times in future.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50It's a hot and balmy bank holiday weekend and a call comes in.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54Right, was it an amplifier or just acoustic?
0:02:54 > 0:02:59A resident on the Embankment has had an earful of a busker's loud music.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02What we need to do is go down there and just see who it is,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05if it's someone we know, and try and work out what's causing the nuisance.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09Apparently he has got an amplifier, so we need to see what's going on.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13The Embankment is a busy street and it's easy to understand why
0:03:13 > 0:03:17buskers would pitch themselves here, but people live nearby
0:03:17 > 0:03:22and at half past ten in the evening they're getting ready for bed.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24George jumps into the car and heads off.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27I don't like dealing with family noise,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30people complaining about children running around, you know,
0:03:30 > 0:03:34loud parties and even alarms are quite challenging.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38But, like any job, there are bits you like and bits you don't like.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40But most of it's pretty good.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Buskers are quite interesting,
0:03:43 > 0:03:44most of them are characters.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47They've been busking for a while, they're street based,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50they're normally quite street smart,
0:03:50 > 0:03:54they've led quite interesting lives quite often, so they're,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57to speak to, they're quite entertaining,
0:03:57 > 0:04:00then again quite challenging.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03I don't know who this guy is, but we're going to find out,
0:04:03 > 0:04:08and he's going to be in this area here, Embankment Tube Station.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12This is a regular site for buskers and we have got some flats
0:04:12 > 0:04:15just round the corner and I think the buskers quite often forget
0:04:15 > 0:04:18that people do live on the street, noisy though it is.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Busking isn't illegal in Westminster,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23with the exception of Covent Garden and The Underground,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26buskers don't need a licence to perform.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30If they're making too much of a racket though, it doesn't matter what
0:04:30 > 0:04:34time of the day it is, the Noise Team have the powers to deal with them.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48George's sound monitoring equipment
0:04:48 > 0:04:50confirms what his ears have already told him.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52The music is too loud
0:04:52 > 0:04:56and it's against the law to have a speaker on the street at this time of night.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Time to move in and have a word.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01A quick word, the reason I've come is because we've had complaints
0:05:01 > 0:05:04from some of the residents up the street.
0:05:03 > 0:05:04OK.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06I know it's a regular site for buskers,
0:05:06 > 0:05:09sometimes they cause problems, sometimes they don't.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11You've finished playing now?
0:05:11 > 0:05:14I know you're trying, I know you're trying.
0:05:14 > 0:05:15OK, thanks very much.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18The busker is cooperative and agrees to move on.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21I've asked him to move on.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23If he hadn't moved on we could have served a notice,
0:05:23 > 0:05:26to legally require him to move on, but he was quite compliant,
0:05:26 > 0:05:30so he's going to move on and try and find another pitch elsewhere.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34It's probably one of the noisiest pedestrian streets in London
0:05:34 > 0:05:37and people do forget that there are residents here.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40It's not everybody's place to want to live.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42But there are flats, and if there are flats
0:05:42 > 0:05:47then people still have rights to a reasonable amount of peace and quiet.
0:05:48 > 0:05:53It's a quick and simple result for George but this is a busy night
0:05:53 > 0:05:54and the calls keep coming in.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57We can be with you in about ten minutes.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59This is a loud music complaint.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02Yes, it's been a bit unusual because it's warm
0:06:02 > 0:06:06and, as you can see, there's a lot of drink gone down tonight
0:06:06 > 0:06:10so there's some quite strange behaviour.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14George's next call out is to a very different kind of noise
0:06:14 > 0:06:16and it's a bleeping nuisance.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19The job we're going to now,
0:06:19 > 0:06:21it's a car alarm that's going off
0:06:21 > 0:06:25but the car is actually in an underground car park in Paddington,
0:06:25 > 0:06:28so I don't know if the car park is locked
0:06:28 > 0:06:32or if it's open but the first thing we need to do is locate the car.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34We can give one hour for a car alarm.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40After that, if the nuisance carries on,
0:06:40 > 0:06:44then we need to take action to abate the nuisance.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47So that's when we actually get on the phone to our contractor
0:06:47 > 0:06:51and get him to actually enter the vehicle and dismantle the alarm.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55The problem is, the keeper of the vehicle then gets the bill for that,
0:06:55 > 0:06:56so they're never very happy,
0:06:56 > 0:06:59but it's either that or leave the thing to scream all night.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04Different councils deal with nuisance noise in slightly different ways.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06Here in Westminster,
0:07:06 > 0:07:10if a car alarm sounds off for more than five minutes,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14in a 15 minute period, it's considered to be a nuisance.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16The team can serve a notice on the car,
0:07:16 > 0:07:20which gives the owner a legal obligation to turn it off.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23If they don't, officers can break into the car,
0:07:23 > 0:07:27silence the alarm and the owner has to foot the bill.
0:07:28 > 0:07:33When he arrives on site George is met by the man who called to complain.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35Noise team, you called us about the car alarm.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Yes, yes.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Can you show us where it is?
0:07:39 > 0:07:40Lead the way?
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Timothy is a student.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45He lives above the car park where a faulty car alarm has been
0:07:45 > 0:07:49going off for hours, keeping him and his flatmates awake.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01I, personally, live on this level.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05It sounds like it's coming from...somewhere...
0:08:05 > 0:08:09right underneath here.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14OK, so the problem's going to be getting in.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Is there any information on the entrance?
0:08:16 > 0:08:17Not that I saw.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22Admittedly, I didn't really give it a thorough look over,
0:08:22 > 0:08:24but nothing I saw.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27I'd be happy to go and have a look again.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29OK, I think we need to do that.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34HIGH BEEPING
0:08:34 > 0:08:37So, this is normally open?
0:08:37 > 0:08:38In the day time?
0:08:38 > 0:08:40I see people coming up and down.
0:08:48 > 0:08:53With no access to the car park, this is a frustrating one for George.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56We'll be back with him shortly, though, to see
0:08:56 > 0:08:59if he can silence this beeping car alarm.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01It cuts right through everything,
0:09:01 > 0:09:02it goes right in your ear
0:09:02 > 0:09:05which is, at this point, what makes it pretty annoying.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10And things heat up, as he lays down the law to a street party.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13If you put it on again, I'll come back and take it.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23Across the UK, one of the biggest causes of nuisance noise
0:09:23 > 0:09:27are noisy parties that go on until the early hours, keeping us awake.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30It seems to be getting more noisier in general.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33More time, like 24/7.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35A friend of mine had a really noisy neighbour,
0:09:35 > 0:09:40just a young lad who persistently had parties late at night.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43She had three children of her own and she just couldn't stand it
0:09:43 > 0:09:48any longer, so she ended up putting the house up for sale, and moving.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Booming basses and over-active amps disturb our sleep and drive us
0:09:51 > 0:09:53to distraction.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57They party all night long and...
0:09:57 > 0:10:00I don't mind, but you sort of wake up and you think...
0:10:00 > 0:10:02why don't they stop?
0:10:02 > 0:10:06Like Noise Squads in most big town and cities,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09the team in York are used to dealing with rowdy revellers.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12And with 17 years' experience on the job,
0:10:12 > 0:10:16Noise Enforcement Officer Helen Howlett
0:10:16 > 0:10:19is well aware of the affect nuisance noise can have on people's lives.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22The obvious thing that it's keeping people awake,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25but it's stress, it leads to anxiety, fear,
0:10:25 > 0:10:29and often noise is part of a bigger problem as well,
0:10:29 > 0:10:31it might be part of anti-social behaviour
0:10:31 > 0:10:33or there might be other issues involved.
0:10:33 > 0:10:38It's Friday night and Helen is on shift with her colleague Fiona
0:10:38 > 0:10:39and a complaint has come in.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Is it still happening?
0:10:43 > 0:10:45Is it like karaoke, or...
0:10:48 > 0:10:51A local resident claims that they're being kept awake by what
0:10:51 > 0:10:55they think is a karaoke party in a neighbouring flat.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Right, we'll be with you in about ten minutes.
0:10:58 > 0:10:59OK, bye, now.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Helen and Fiona head off to investigate and it seems that this
0:11:02 > 0:11:08isn't the first time they've had to deal with this alleged noise-maker.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11In this case, we've already served abatement notices
0:11:11 > 0:11:16on tenants at the property that's allegedly causing the noise.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21The notices refer to preventing nuisance from loud amplified music
0:11:21 > 0:11:24so depending on what we find,
0:11:24 > 0:11:29it may be that we're witnessing a breach of the abatement notice.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32This is serious stuff.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34An abatement Notice is a legal document
0:11:34 > 0:11:36that is served on people making nuisance noise
0:11:36 > 0:11:41that has been witnessed first-hand by Noise Enforcement Officers.
0:11:41 > 0:11:42If it's breached,
0:11:42 > 0:11:46the team can seize the possessions that are making the nuisance noise
0:11:46 > 0:11:49and the noisemaker also risks being taken to court and fined.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57When they arrive at the property, Helen and Fiona head inside.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00The complainant is a bit camera shy, but after having a chat
0:12:00 > 0:12:05and monitoring the noise, the team come back with an update.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07We heard loud amplified music.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10It was clearly at a level that would prevent sleep,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13and it was preventing sleep.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16The occupier was woken up by the noise and couldn't get back to sleep.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20The level in the bedroom was sufficient to be a statutory nuisance,
0:12:20 > 0:12:24and as we've served an abatement notice preventing further statutory nuisance,
0:12:24 > 0:12:28we've actually witnessed a breach of the abatement notice this evening.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30The complainant didn't want a fuss
0:12:30 > 0:12:33and asked Helen and Fiona not to confront their neighbour tonight,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36but having witnessed a breach of the Abatement Notice,
0:12:36 > 0:12:38they will be taking action.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44We may decide to do a seizure of the noise making equipment
0:12:44 > 0:12:45that was used this evening,
0:12:45 > 0:12:50to prevent any further breach of the abatement notice, that's an option.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54Or we could process the case with a view to prosecution
0:12:54 > 0:12:56without doing a seizure.
0:12:56 > 0:12:57We'll make that decision,
0:12:57 > 0:13:01we'll discuss it with our manager back in the office, on Monday,
0:13:01 > 0:13:05and take the most appropriate course of action for the case.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Back in the office, the team write up their notes.
0:13:08 > 0:13:15The decision about what to do next will be made in the coming days.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19The following week Helen heads out from Noise Squad headquarters
0:13:19 > 0:13:21with two colleagues.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25The team have been dealing with this case for some time now and have
0:13:25 > 0:13:29decided to confiscate the equipment that's making the nuisance noise.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32It's a decision that hasn't been taken lightly
0:13:32 > 0:13:34and it's now being carried out.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37In this particular case, the individuals involved have had
0:13:37 > 0:13:40a number of warnings, both verbal and letters.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43They will have had a letter explaining the abatement notice
0:13:43 > 0:13:45when the abatement notices were served,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48and explaining the consequences of breaching the notice.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52We've had a near breach, and we have sent reminder letters to them,
0:13:52 > 0:13:56reminding them about the abatement notice requirement,
0:13:56 > 0:14:00so they've certainly had a good number of warnings from us.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04Whenever the team carry out a seizure, they always get police back-up
0:14:04 > 0:14:06to make sure things don't get out of hand,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09and before they go in, Helen gives them a briefing.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12We've got a warrant to enter the property,
0:14:12 > 0:14:15if need be by force, to take the equipment from them
0:14:15 > 0:14:17that they were using at the weekend for the offence,
0:14:17 > 0:14:19which we think is karaoke,
0:14:19 > 0:14:22probably games machines, CDs, that kind of thing.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26Helen's also called in a joiner in case no-one's home
0:14:26 > 0:14:28and they have to gain access to the property.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30We've just spoken to the police,
0:14:30 > 0:14:33we've got the joiner on hand so we're now all ready to go.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35We believe there's somebody in the flat anyway,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38but we're going to go round, knock, explain what we're doing,
0:14:38 > 0:14:40why we're doing it. Hopefully they'll let us in.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42If not, we've got the joiner
0:14:42 > 0:14:44and we're going to enter under warrant anyway.
0:14:44 > 0:14:51With everyone up to speed, it's time to move in.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54Helen knocks on the door.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57The warrant gives the Noise Squad the power to seize anything
0:14:57 > 0:15:02that could have been used in the karaoke party to make the nuisance noise.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04My name's Helen Howlett,
0:15:04 > 0:15:07I'm a City of York Council Environmental Protection Officer.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- We're here regarding breach of an abatement notice.- You what?
0:15:10 > 0:15:12An abatement notice that's been served.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14We're here today to seize some equipment
0:15:14 > 0:15:17because of an offence committed over the weekend.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21Helen cautions the occupant of the flat and the team move in.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32Even though the police are present seizing people's possessions
0:15:32 > 0:15:34is always a tense job.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37In this instance, there are no real problems
0:15:37 > 0:15:39and around half an hour later the job is done.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43It's difficult to say what a typical reaction is.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Some people are compliant and let you get on with it.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Some people want to argue with you against everything,
0:15:49 > 0:15:50sometimes there's a happy medium.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52It really depends.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57Helen and the team head to the Noise Squad lock-up
0:15:57 > 0:16:02to log the confiscated equipment and store it.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06One, two, three, four, five...
0:16:06 > 0:16:07five, it should be.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Five bags?
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Five bags and a speaker.
0:16:11 > 0:16:12Yeah.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16The noisemakers will be invited in to Noise Squad HQ,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19and given a chance to put their side of their story.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22But Helen's happy that it's been a job well done.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25I'm pleased that we have managed to get the equipment from them.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27I hope that's given a clear message to them
0:16:27 > 0:16:31that they're not to cause a nuisance and a breach of the abatement notice,
0:16:31 > 0:16:33and hopefully this weekend,
0:16:33 > 0:16:35and the evenings in between now and then,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38the local residents will be able to have peace and quiet
0:16:38 > 0:16:41rather than have to put up with the noise.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46The occupant of this flat has been interviewed under caution.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49The equipment remains in the council's possession
0:16:49 > 0:16:53and to date no further complaints have been received
0:16:53 > 0:16:55about nuisance noise from the flat.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09In Westminster, noise enforcement officer George Christian is
0:17:09 > 0:17:14trying to silence a faulty car alarm that's keeping local residents awake.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19The problem for George is that the car is in a car park
0:17:19 > 0:17:21and he can't get in.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23I think the garage actually goes right up to,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26and maybe underneath part of our houses
0:17:26 > 0:17:28because it's on a lower level than the house itself,
0:17:28 > 0:17:32and I guess that's just the way the whole complex is designed.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36But the way they designed it was actually just a grate there.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40It sounds as if the car's actually parked right near that grate as well,
0:17:40 > 0:17:43so it's basically going right up through
0:17:43 > 0:17:46and then it echoes around the mews where we work, so...
0:17:52 > 0:17:55It was a different noise around, maybe,
0:17:55 > 0:17:59until around 20 minutes ago and now it's doing this chirping thing,
0:17:59 > 0:18:03but at the beginning it was actually more of a pinging thing.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07My room mate commented that it sounded like we were on a submarine, or something.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10So yeah, it kinda cuts right through everything,
0:18:10 > 0:18:15goes right in your ear which is, at this point, what makes it pretty annoying.
0:18:15 > 0:18:16Hello, it's George Christian,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19from the Noise team at Westminster City Council.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21There's a contact number on the wall.
0:18:21 > 0:18:26George leaves a message asking to be called back, urgently.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28I'm just hoping that they'll come back
0:18:28 > 0:18:30so we can gain some kind of access
0:18:30 > 0:18:32and actually get to the vehicle and deal with it.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35So at the moment, that's all we can really do.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37If we could get sight of the vehicle,
0:18:37 > 0:18:38we could get a registration number
0:18:38 > 0:18:42and run it by the police and see if we can get a keeper's details.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46But we can't even see which car it is that's causing the problem.
0:18:46 > 0:18:47So, frustrating.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52It's not exactly the outcome George is after.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54The car park is locked up for the night.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58If it's too loud or out of the ordinary, noise can be a nuisance
0:18:58 > 0:19:03at any time of the day or night but there are ways to deal with it.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06Noise teams are part of councils' Environmental Health departments
0:19:06 > 0:19:10and they can put you in touch with people who can mediate
0:19:10 > 0:19:12if the problem concerns noisy neighbours.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16If you don't think this would work or you've got other noise problems,
0:19:16 > 0:19:20like faulty alarms, give your local council a call.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23As he can't get into the car park, it looks as though
0:19:23 > 0:19:27George will have to refer this case onto the daytime team.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30It says Sundays and bank holidays, 10am to 10pm.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Will you able to sleep tonight with this going on?
0:19:33 > 0:19:35Yeah, I mean, we'll live for a night.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37I just didn't want it to get worse.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Right. How loud, actually, is it in the bedroom?
0:19:40 > 0:19:43As long as I keep the windows closed which, you know,
0:19:43 > 0:19:46is not too hard, it's fine.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48You can hear it, but it's, you know.
0:19:48 > 0:19:49Right.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53So what we can do is we can follow it up first thing in the morning.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57We open at ten, and we can get our day staff straight on to it.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01Luckily for Timothy and other nearby residents, the car battery
0:20:01 > 0:20:05ran down in the early hours of the morning and the alarm stopped,
0:20:05 > 0:20:08allowing everyone to finally get some sleep.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15It's a hot night in central London and there's no let up for George.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17It's quite loud I take it?
0:20:17 > 0:20:19We're not here to save lives,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22but we're here to improve the quality of life.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25His next job is to try and track down the source of some very loud
0:20:25 > 0:20:29music that's keeping one local resident awake in the early hours.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33We're going to visit a lady that's made a complaint about some loud music.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35She doesn't know where it's coming from
0:20:35 > 0:20:38but she says it's very loud and it's disturbing her.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40So we're just going to give her a call,
0:20:40 > 0:20:43go into her property and listen, see if we can trace it from there.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Got it.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48I'm in. Thank you.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54From the balcony, it's clear that someone is having a party.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Now George just needs to find out where it is.
0:21:09 > 0:21:15It doesn't take him long to track down the source of the noise.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Well, what this looks like is just an impromptu set up
0:21:18 > 0:21:22with somebody just putting some speakers in the street.
0:21:22 > 0:21:23It's not confined to any premises
0:21:23 > 0:21:26but they must be getting power from somewhere.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30What I want to do is find out whose speakers they are,
0:21:30 > 0:21:34and tell them that it needs to stop or be turned right down.
0:21:34 > 0:21:35Here goes.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38George has found the source of the nuisance noise
0:21:38 > 0:21:41and we'll be with him shortly as he moves in to shut it down.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43This might sound strange to you,
0:21:43 > 0:21:45but I've got more power than the police in this respect.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48In York the racket from a local pub
0:21:48 > 0:21:50is stopping residents from getting 40 winks.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52If people are prevented from sleeping,
0:21:52 > 0:21:56if their activities are restricted because of the impact from someone else,
0:21:56 > 0:21:59that comes under the terms of statutory noise nuisance.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01And in Belfast, Noise Officer David
0:22:01 > 0:22:04is monitoring the volume of a huge TV screen
0:22:04 > 0:22:07in the heart of the city centre.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10My point is the worst case scenario, in terms of disturbance,
0:22:10 > 0:22:13that's what we're here to look at.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland
0:22:20 > 0:22:26and it's the biggest city with over half a million inhabitants.
0:22:26 > 0:22:31In the past year, the noise team have received almost 7,000 complaints,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33but it's not all barking dogs
0:22:33 > 0:22:35and loud parties that they've had to deal with.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39David from the Noise Team has an unusual day ahead of him.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Belfast has been selected as one of 21 Live Sites
0:22:42 > 0:22:45run by local councils and the BBC.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49These sites will have a permanent screen to promote
0:22:49 > 0:22:54the 2012 Olympics, the BBC and local council initiatives.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57This is the big screen over here, they're setting up at the moment.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59I'm going to meet a representative from the BBC
0:22:59 > 0:23:02who's going to be doing the sound checks with us.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05Broadcasts are planned to run from seven in the morning
0:23:05 > 0:23:07until 11 at night.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10David's job today is to agree the acceptable volume.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14It would be a bit tricky if the council started getting complaints
0:23:14 > 0:23:17about their own sound system!
0:23:17 > 0:23:20My point is the worst case scenario, in terms of disturbance,
0:23:20 > 0:23:22that's what we're here to look at.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26Well, we'll turn it on now and you can see what it looks like.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30Larger music and sporting events will be screened at a much louder level
0:23:30 > 0:23:32than news and information broadcasts -
0:23:32 > 0:23:34David does readings for both.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36First, a news broadcast.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47The ambiance of background noise varies greatly with the location
0:23:47 > 0:23:50and it's measured in decibels.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54A busy street is around 70 decibels.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57A quiet room at night is 20 decibels.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00And a pneumatic drill is 120 decibels.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03The square is surrounded by offices,
0:24:03 > 0:24:06what David is most concerned about today is the acceptable
0:24:06 > 0:24:10level of noise in an office when the screen is in use.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13My colleague here is on the phone to one of the officers
0:24:13 > 0:24:15in the office next to the screen.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18They're giving thumbs up that the level at the moment isn't too loud,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21so they can't really hear it at all, which is good.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24We're going to go and put on some music now so we can have
0:24:24 > 0:24:27a listen to a different type of noise from the screen.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29There will be different types of events,
0:24:29 > 0:24:32so we want to get a good feel for what's the worst case scenario
0:24:32 > 0:24:35in relation to whether it's speech or drama or music.
0:24:42 > 0:24:47The screen's been set at a level that's being operated day in day out normal level.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51There will be special events where the screen will be much louder.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54Generally, the officer in the City Hall here is saying
0:24:54 > 0:24:58that level's acceptable at the minute, but any louder would be too loud,
0:24:58 > 0:25:00so I think probably in terms of daytime events
0:25:00 > 0:25:04that's probably going to be as loud as we'll be able to have it.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06However, to make sure we know what the impact would be
0:25:06 > 0:25:10if we were having evening events, we're going to go in now
0:25:10 > 0:25:16and maybe take a quick sound level measurement, and put the screen on at the top levels.
0:25:16 > 0:25:21Belfast City Hall is the perfect place to carry out the test.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24It's the closest big building to the location of the screen
0:25:24 > 0:25:26and has lots of offices.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28This one belongs to a big cheese, the Town Solicitor
0:25:28 > 0:25:31and Assistant Chief Executive!
0:25:31 > 0:25:34Let's hope David minds his Ps and Qs.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36We'll put on the screen at its loudest setting,
0:25:36 > 0:25:40so we know what the noise level's like inside for special events.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42Hello, Kevin? It's David here.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45Do you want to put the event level on, and we can do a quick check?
0:25:45 > 0:25:48David gets the screen played at full volume.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51The exec listens in on the test. No pressure then, David!
0:25:53 > 0:25:56- It's not actually today, is it?- No.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00It'll be very hard to have a serious meeting about some boring stuff
0:26:00 > 0:26:03- while we're bopping around to Status Quo!- That's right.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07FAINT MUSIC PLAYS
0:26:14 > 0:26:18In terms of sound level measurement, it's 52 decibels,
0:26:18 > 0:26:25which as a guideline level for an executive office is around 35 as a good level.
0:26:29 > 0:26:34So you couldn't really do too much work with that going on all day probably, so...
0:26:34 > 0:26:37With the level for special events too loud for office hours,
0:26:37 > 0:26:39David updates the technician.
0:26:40 > 0:26:45- We're running at the event level and that...- It was very, very clear.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47And at this level, normal level?
0:26:47 > 0:26:49At the normal level you can just about hear it, you know.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51So it's acceptable?
0:26:51 > 0:26:53Acceptable, uh-huh.
0:26:53 > 0:26:54The normal level is fine.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Just loud enough for an audience to hear broadcasts
0:26:57 > 0:27:01above the sounds of the city, but without disturbing the neighbours.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04This is the level they've agreed it can be at during the day,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07which we've confirmed is acceptable in the offices nearby.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10There will be special events in the evening and things,
0:27:10 > 0:27:14but those will have special agreements in place and special planning involved.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17If we get complaints in the future we'll have to review it,
0:27:17 > 0:27:20but we'll take a quick walk along the far side of the square
0:27:20 > 0:27:23just to make sure the noise at its current level isn't an issue.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25But I don't think it will be.
0:27:25 > 0:27:31Before David can take these final readings he's going to have to do a spot of negotiating.
0:27:31 > 0:27:36I think I'll have to ask this guy to stop playing, unfortunately, and see if we can hear the screen,
0:27:36 > 0:27:39which means I'll have to probably pay him.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44Can I ask you just to stop for a wee moment
0:27:44 > 0:27:47- so we can hear the screen, is that OK?- No play?
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Yeah, no play. Just two minutes, OK?
0:27:50 > 0:27:52Give me, give me. Yes, please.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Give, please. Hello?
0:27:54 > 0:27:57CONTINUES PLAYING
0:27:57 > 0:28:00No. Can I ask you to stop, I just want to hear this big TV screen.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04David then checks in the street.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11And inside a nearby business.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14I'm just going to go into the shop to see if I can hear it inside.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17I don't think I will be able to, it's very low.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22No, you can't hear it at all inside, so that's good.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25It seems OK at that level so I'll ring the engineers
0:28:25 > 0:28:27and tell them they can finish the test now.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30David's happy that the levels are set well and the noise team
0:28:30 > 0:28:34shouldn't get any complaints to the council, about the council.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36All done.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50We're a nation that likes to have fun, to go out and have a good time.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54But when the pubs and clubs we visit are packed to the rafters,
0:28:54 > 0:28:57noise levels can sometimes get out of hand.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02It's the beat of the bass that you hear constantly.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06You can hear shouting in the middle of the night at three to four o'clock.
0:29:06 > 0:29:07It's very disturbing.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13Last year nuisance noise from licensed premises
0:29:13 > 0:29:16was the second highest complaint the city of York's Noise Squad
0:29:16 > 0:29:20had to deal with but when they're called in to action,
0:29:20 > 0:29:24the team leave nuisance noisemakers in no doubt that they have to quieten down.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28If you're going to have loud music here, you'll have to have the doors closed
0:29:28 > 0:29:31or it could mean losing the licence.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36Helen Howlett has worked as a Noise Officer for 17 years
0:29:36 > 0:29:41and for the past six years she's been part of the team here in York.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44Today she's following up a complaint about a pub's loud music
0:29:44 > 0:29:46and chattering customers.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49The night time noise patrol received a complaint at the weekend
0:29:49 > 0:29:52about loud music late night.
0:29:52 > 0:29:57By the time they got the call, they managed to get out there by 11:15pm
0:29:57 > 0:29:58and the music had finished.
0:29:58 > 0:30:03But they were concerned about the level of noise from customers in the beer garden.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08Before Helen heads to the pub to have a word with the landlord,
0:30:08 > 0:30:13she wants to get a better look at how close the watering hole is to neighbours' homes.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16The beer garden extends at least this far.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19Obviously, we've got a block of residential behind here.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22I'm just trying to get a feel for the area
0:30:22 > 0:30:27so when I go inside I can picture how it relates to the residents at the back of the premises.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31Having got the lie of the land,
0:30:31 > 0:30:36Helen meets up with Nigel from the licensing department.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39I enforce all conditions on alcohol licences.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42These premises have got some noise conditions on the licence
0:30:42 > 0:30:46which is why I'm here today, to make sure they are being adhered to.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51All the pubs in York get their licences from the council
0:30:51 > 0:30:54and these tell them what is and isn't allowed.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57The complaint about this pub was about loud live music
0:30:57 > 0:30:59and that could be a bit of a problem.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03They've only got recorded music, late night refreshment.
0:31:03 > 0:31:08Ah. I think there might have been a live band on, on Saturday night.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10Well, if there was, they can't have it.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13He has lots of live music here, doesn't he?
0:31:13 > 0:31:15Hi, Helen Howlett from the council.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19The team move inside and Helen explains to the landlord why they've come to visit.
0:31:19 > 0:31:24The reason we're here is that we had a night time noise patrol complaint on Saturday night.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27We had two calls come in from one premises being affected.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31Loud music could be heard and noise from the beer garden.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35They arrived on site at 11:15pm and within the person's bedroom
0:31:35 > 0:31:38the noise was sufficient, with the window open,
0:31:38 > 0:31:42for those people to be affected if they were trying to sleep.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45So that's something that could be a statutory nuisance.
0:31:45 > 0:31:50Different councils handle nuisance noise complaints in slightly different ways.
0:31:50 > 0:31:55In York, if the team witness loud noise coming from licensed premises
0:31:55 > 0:31:58they have the power to serve an Abatement Notice.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01This gives the business a legal obligation to quieten down.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04If it's ignored and the problem persists,
0:32:04 > 0:32:07they could be taken to the magistrate's court and fined.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11In extreme cases, they could also lose their licence.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15Nuisance noise isn't this landlord's only problem though.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19The pub's been hosting live music but their licence doesn't allow this.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21Time for Nigel to have a word.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25What entertainment did you have on at the weekend?
0:32:25 > 0:32:28We had five, five bands on Saturday night.
0:32:28 > 0:32:29Cos that might be a problem, John.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32Because you're not licensed for live music.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39This news has clearly come as a bit of a shock to the landlord.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43You haven't got live music as part of the entertainment.
0:32:44 > 0:32:45Did you not know?
0:32:49 > 0:32:52Live music and recorded music are separate.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55Live music is also a licensed activity.
0:32:55 > 0:33:00If you want to have live music you're going to have to put a variation in...
0:33:00 > 0:33:02and get it put on your licence.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06- I'll do that straight away. - You obviously weren't aware.- No.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09- You must have read your licence when you came in.- Yes.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15So it's a warning on this occasion.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18So no more live music, OK?
0:33:18 > 0:33:21Nigel's given this chap the benefit of the doubt this time,
0:33:21 > 0:33:26but Helen needs to make sure the noise levels are dealt with. Time to head outside.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29This was the door that was seen opening and closing
0:33:29 > 0:33:31and letting the music out.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34So when this door's open with people coming and going into the beer garden,
0:33:34 > 0:33:38the music coming out can be heard in a residential property nearby.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41We take the view that night time starts at 11pm.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45So 11pm onwards it's reasonable for people to be using their bedrooms
0:33:45 > 0:33:48and it's reasonable for the noise level to be quiet enough
0:33:48 > 0:33:50for people to sleep.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54So the assessment at 11:15pm was the noise from here was too loud at that time.
0:33:54 > 0:34:00What might be an option is to manage the use of this garden after 11pm.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02People's bedrooms will be affected...
0:34:02 > 0:34:05The landlord agrees to try and reduce late night noise
0:34:05 > 0:34:09by keeping doors closed and numbers in the beer garden to a minimum.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11But Helen's not finished with him.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14A common sense thing to notice
0:34:14 > 0:34:17is that speaker's pointing towards the back through the door here,
0:34:17 > 0:34:19so I don't know how you...
0:34:19 > 0:34:22In the scheme of things, they are turned down by a good 25%.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26If I turn the volume up, they all go up in the same level,
0:34:26 > 0:34:29but these are set already lower than the rest.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33The landlord claims that the noise levels of the speakers
0:34:33 > 0:34:36have already been lowered from what they would normally be.
0:34:36 > 0:34:41I'm not sure that's the response Helen was hoping for though.
0:34:41 > 0:34:46Bear in mind officers witnessed music in someone else's property
0:34:46 > 0:34:48when that door was open.
0:34:48 > 0:34:49So that's the potential area.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53I can get the engineer to come in or I can do it manually there.
0:34:53 > 0:34:58But we can also make sure it's a step down again.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01I don't mind doing that, that's fine.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06The landlord agrees to turn the speakers down further. Wise man.
0:35:06 > 0:35:11Before they leave, Nigel reminds him about the conditions on his licence.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14But in the meantime, no live music.
0:35:14 > 0:35:19If it is seen you have live music, you will be liable for prosecution.
0:35:19 > 0:35:24Right, I don't think they could have been any clearer than that.
0:35:24 > 0:35:29Doors closed, speakers down and no live music until the licence is sorted.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32It's reasonable to meet half way before you're told
0:35:32 > 0:35:35you've got to go beyond half way.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39It benefits us, it shows we're willing to the residents,
0:35:39 > 0:35:43and I think just kind of get along better.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47I think it went well, he was very responsive to what we had to say.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51We didn't have sufficient evidence to be taking any formal action
0:35:51 > 0:35:54with him at this stage but I think he appreciated
0:35:54 > 0:35:57the information and the advice, so that he can be one step ahead
0:35:57 > 0:36:00and not get to the stage where we're having to take legal action.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04So, having delivered a tough message and gotten assurances
0:36:04 > 0:36:07that it had been taken on board, that's the end of the story, right?
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Wrong!
0:36:12 > 0:36:16One week later Helen is on the nightshift with her colleague Fiona,
0:36:16 > 0:36:21and they've been called back to the pub by a local resident who can't get 40 winks.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24I went to speak to the premises with the licensing enforcement officer
0:36:24 > 0:36:28just over a week ago, and he did seem very amenable.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30So I am surprised if...
0:36:30 > 0:36:34Well, I am quite surprised if he is doing what's been alleged.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37It's unfortunate we're getting the same sort of complaints
0:36:37 > 0:36:39that I had hoped we'd dealt with informally.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43It's the early hours of Sunday morning
0:36:43 > 0:36:45and when Helen and Fiona arrive at the pub,
0:36:45 > 0:36:49it's easy to hear there's a bit of a noise problem in the beer garden.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56I'm just going inside to speak to the manager,
0:36:56 > 0:36:57to find out what's going on.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00There seems quite a lot of people in the back
0:37:00 > 0:37:03but I can't see how far down the beer garden they are.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06So I just need to go in and do a bit more investigating.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10After popping inside it turns out that although things aren't perfect,
0:37:10 > 0:37:14the landlord is trying to do something about the noise levels coming from the pub.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18What we found was that the doors were shut,
0:37:18 > 0:37:21he'd actually roped off most of the beer garden
0:37:21 > 0:37:24so there were only a few people out there, smoking and drinking.
0:37:24 > 0:37:29Whenever the door to the beer garden had been opened
0:37:29 > 0:37:33there was a lot of music coming out of the pub and the doors weren't closing properly.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36So we had a good discussion with the licensee
0:37:36 > 0:37:41to make some suggestions on perhaps putting some double doors
0:37:41 > 0:37:45and a lobby to the beer garden to prevent this escape of loud music
0:37:45 > 0:37:48that is keeping some of the residents awake.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52Until the landlord sorts out his licence there'll be no more live music in this pub
0:37:52 > 0:37:55and to date there have been no more complaints
0:37:55 > 0:37:58and no further action has been necessary.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06In Westminster George Christian is working a busy nightshift.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09He's been called to deal with a loud party taking place
0:38:09 > 0:38:12on the streets of Soho, in central London,
0:38:12 > 0:38:16that's keeping a local resident awake in the early hours.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20It's time to move in and quieten things down.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23- Tell me whose speakers these are. I need to speak to them.- Pardon?
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Tell whose speaker it is.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28The problem is, we've had a complaint about the speaker.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32- Who owns it?- This doesn't belong to one particular person.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36But you see, if I say to you I'm going to take it away, right,
0:38:36 > 0:38:39I'm not going to take it away, but I can, right?
0:38:39 > 0:38:41Whose speaker is it? Is it...
0:38:41 > 0:38:44- Do you have an interest in this speaker?- Yeah.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48What's happening here, is it a special occasion, celebration?
0:38:48 > 0:38:49What's happening?
0:38:49 > 0:38:52Just like summer time, we play some music in the street.
0:38:52 > 0:38:57I'm not joking when I say to you I've three sets of police cars,
0:38:57 > 0:39:00walking police, and they've all said no problem.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02Well, this might sound strange to you,
0:39:02 > 0:39:06but I've actually got more power than the police in this respect.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08Yeah, no, no, I'm not suggesting you don't.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10If you put it on again, I'll come back and take it.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13- My advice is don't put it on. - All right.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15No problem.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19George has left these revellers in no doubt about what will happen
0:39:19 > 0:39:21if they turn the music back up.
0:39:21 > 0:39:26What we had there was a complete impromptu celebration in the street.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32You've got some people operating one big loudspeaker.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35No reason, just because it's a warm night. It happens in Westminster.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38What I've said to him is look, if you do it again I'll come back,
0:39:38 > 0:39:41we'll take further action, we'll seize the speaker.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45If I don't another complaint, fine, he can keep his speaker.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48If we do get more, we'll be back. So that's the deal.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51The noise from this party has been dealt with
0:39:51 > 0:39:56but there's no let up for George, his busy night continues.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00It is very hot, hot weather does bring people out to the street.
0:40:00 > 0:40:01If we can still hear it...
0:40:01 > 0:40:05He and his colleague Kevin are now on their way to deal with
0:40:05 > 0:40:08a party neighbours say has spilled out onto the street
0:40:08 > 0:40:10and is keeping them awake.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Straight ahead is where the party is.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16There's a group outside which is a telltale sign.
0:40:16 > 0:40:17FAINT MUSIC PLAYING
0:40:19 > 0:40:21Hello, there.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28Could we speak to whoever's holding the party?
0:40:28 > 0:40:30- Hello, madam. - Oh, hello.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34George explains that even for a 40th birthday party
0:40:34 > 0:40:36the music is too loud and too late.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40What level is right for this time of the morning?
0:40:40 > 0:40:44It's not a big problem, but we need to make sure you're not disturbing anybody.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48Your party can carry on but I'm going to make sure nobody's kept awake.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50- I'm 40 today.- You're 40? Looking good.- Congratulations!
0:40:53 > 0:40:55We're not, we're not, we're not party poopers
0:40:55 > 0:40:58but obviously we need to make sure people can sleep.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02This lady is friendly and cooperative
0:41:02 > 0:41:04and happy to quieten things down.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07- I just want a nice easy life. - That's what I say.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10We're not coming down heavy but letting you know there's a complaint
0:41:10 > 0:41:12so you can do something about it.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15- All right? Take care. - Take care now, bye, bye.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21It's another result for George.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24As dawn breaks and his shift finishes,
0:41:24 > 0:41:28he deals with the paper work and reflects on a busy night.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31One of the biggest problems is when you come back in here
0:41:31 > 0:41:34and sit down is to try to stay awake.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36If you can stay awake, you can get a lot done.
0:41:36 > 0:41:37It's a quiet end to the shift.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40It's been quite a busy night.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44Unfortunately we did get a little bit behind on some of the jobs,
0:41:44 > 0:41:46but that does happen when it's busy.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52It's been warm and it's a bank holiday weekend,
0:41:52 > 0:41:58so a combination of those things leads to quite a bit of hard work.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01It might have been busy but it was also successful.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05There were no further complaints about the cases George dealt with
0:42:05 > 0:42:07and no further action was necessary.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16It's been a busy shift for the Noise Squad.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18Just two minutes, OK?
0:42:18 > 0:42:21They've dealt with everything from an impromptu street party.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24If you put it on again, I'll come back and take it.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26A pub keeping the neighbours up...
0:42:26 > 0:42:28The noise was sufficient with the window open
0:42:28 > 0:42:31for those people to be affected if they were trying to sleep.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35..to checking the levels of a huge TV screen.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39You can just about hear it in the distance. It's acceptable, aye.
0:42:39 > 0:42:45There's no let-up in the battle against anti-social nuisance noise
0:42:45 > 0:42:49and plenty more cases, still to be dealt with by the Noise Squad.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:42:53 > 0:42:55E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk