Nightmare neighbour's loud music sparked OVER 700 complaints and forced residents to sleep in cars
John Culverhouse doesn't agree with the calls for loud firework displays to be banned
GB News
A group of noisy neighbours who blasted loud music have been instructed to keep quiet by a court or face going to prison.
The pair played music so loudly at their Norwich home that some neighbours took to sleeping in their cars to avoid the noise.
Over a period of 18 months, people in the area made 747 complaints about the noise.
Norwich City Council said that despite multiple warnings, the offenders continued to play their music.
Norwich City Council said that despite multiple warnings, the offenders continued to play their music
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Special recording equipment was installed by council officers to measure the noise levels, and help neighbours to report breaches. They also issued a Noise Abatement Notice, which the offenders breached multiple times.
Norwich Magistrates Court fined them both £400, with additional costs including a £160 victim surcharge, £100 in legal fees, and £50 in enforcement and investigation costs, bringing the total to £710, payable in monthly instalments of £100.
As part of the court proceedings, the council applied for a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), which will be reviewed at a hearing Spring 2025.
If granted, the CBO will prohibit the individuals from playing loud music and will remain in place for a minimum of two years, any breach of its conditions could lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment.
The court issued a strong warning to the defendants, emphasising the serious consequences of their actions and the potential for further legal action if the disturbances continue.
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Norwich Magistrates' Court, Bishopgate, Norwich
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Cllr Beth Jones, the council’s cabinet member for housing, said: "This case highlights the importance of being considerate towards neighbours.
"Excessive noise can have a devastating impact on people’s lives, particularly when it prevents them from getting the rest they need or from working.
"We take noise complaints very seriously and will continue to take legal action against those who disrupt the peace of their communities.”
The council also encouraged residents affected by noise pollution to report issues through the council's noise complaint service.
It comes as odour and noise issues accounted for 90 per cent of all complaints to the Environmental Protection Agency last year.
The agency said its enforcement activities led to an overall decrease in complaints last year, which have fallen by 29 per cent compared with 2022.
In 2023, the EPA carried out more than 1,200 inspections at 535 licensed industrial and waste facilities – the vast majority of which were unannounced visits.
The agency’s director of environmental enforcement said there is an increased focus on odour and noise management at licensed sites.
Dr Tom Ryan said: "The EPA will maintain a focus on nuisance arising from licensed sites and will take enforcement action, where appropriate."
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