Successful anti-social noise work set to continue
Last updated | 18/04/2008
The Community Safety Committee will hear about the success of work being done to deal with anti-social noise in Perth and Kinross when it meets on Wednesday 23 April.
In 2006 the Community Safety Committee agreed to adopt new powers available under the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004 to crack down on anti-social noise, for an initial period of two years.
At the meeting on 23 April members will be asked to extend this period for another two years, up until June 2010.
Committee Convener, Councillor Willie Robertson, said: “The adoption of these powers has proved to be an extremely useful tool for tackling anti-social noise. It has allowed us to tap into Scottish Government funding that has been made available to prevent anti-social behaviour, and extend the range of useful services we provide.
“For example, two years ago we set up a new anti-social noise service, which has the power to issue fixed penalty notices to tackle the problem of excessive neighbour noise. The service has been a huge success and had a positive impact on the quality of people’s lives in Perth and Kinross.
“Our team of anti-social noise officers is available to investigate any noise produced in a residential property or its garden area that can be heard in a room of another residential property, normally a living room or a bedroom, which is causing nuisance.
“In appropriate circumstances the Officers serve warning notices, and if these are not complied with fixed penalty notices of £100 can be issued. Enforcement is only used when there is a blatant disregard for the law.
“The team makes every effort to resolve any issues through education and other non-enforcement methods . In particular, mediation is a valuable asset in many cases.
“In its first year the team responded to over 1500 complaints of anti-social domestic noise – the vast majority of which were settled amicably without the need for further action or the issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices. Tayside Police have acknowledged that the existence of the team has allowed their resources to be concentrated on other areas. Neighbour disputes have also dropped by 10%.
“The project is a great example of how we can help improve the quality of people’s lives and I look forward to continuing this good work for the next two years, and beyond.”
