Resident prosecuted for repeated noise nuisance

Bromley Council has successfully prosecuted a resident of Rangefield Road, Bromley, who continued to blight her neighbours with loud music.

Complaints started to be received in November 2011 with reports of regular late night parties, but it was not until the 27th December 2012 that the Council was able to serve a noise abatement notice based on evidence gathered by working with nearby residents who were affected significantly by the noise.

Within two days of the notice being served the terms of the notice were breached and she was issued with a £100 fixed penalty fine, which was paid. This did not deter the resident who continued to cause a nuisance, of which further breaches were witnessed on the 30th December 2012, 15th May 2013 and also the 17th May 2013.

On the 20th May 2013, acting under Court Warrant, the Council entered the property in the resident’s absence and seized the equipment, which was capable of causing the nuisance.  Bromley Council then prosecuted her as the only way left to resolve the matter. After failing to attend Court on two separate occasions, the resident was found guilty in her absence of three breaches of a noise abatement notice served by Bromley Council.

The Deputy District Judge issued fines of £900, a victim surcharge of £20 and awarded the Council £1464 for their costs, totalling £2384 which he ordered to be paid within 28 days. In addition to the financial penalties, the Judge also ordered that the seized equipment was forfeited to Bromley Council for disposal.

Councillor Tim Stevens, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Community Safety welcomed the conviction: “Noise nuisance is anti-social and causes tremendous anxiety and stress to those affected. It is our duty to do all we can to stop this activity and protect our residents, and if mediation and persuasion fails we will seize equipment and prosecute. There is no excuse for this type of behaviour”.

If you suffer from noise caused by your neighbours you should report it to the council. Information on how to do this is available at :- http://www.bromley.gov.uk/info/412/pollution_control-noise