The Isle of Man Constabulary together with the Environmental Health Officers from DEFA are reminding people to think about their neighbours in the run up to the Christmas period when planning and having parties at home. Officers from across the Island attend a handful of parties each weekend in response to calls from annoyed neighbours. On the approach to Christmas it is likely that this will increase. Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Teams are taking a robust approach to the problems that this causes. Police are appealing for residents who are planning to have a party, or who are noisy at night, to think about the consequences of their actions and the effect it might have on their neighbours. If a party is being planned it might be helpful to inform neighbours about the party so that they are aware and can plan accordingly.
Under the Noise Act 2006 an offence is committed by any person who, after a warning notice has been served on them for causing noise and disturbance between the hours of 11pm and 7am, continues to cause noise and disturbance. In this case the offender, or offenders, could be liable to 3 months imprisonment and/or a ?2,500 fine. A person may also be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice for ?100.
PC 272 Jonathan Cretney, Central Neighbourhood Policing Team, stated that
“The Police get called to loud parties which are causing great distress to nearby residents who are unable to sleep, some of whom have young children, or who have to work the next day. Usually when the Police attend a property following a complaint of noise at night time then people turn down the music and quieten down, however, if the noise continues after having been warned then the Police have powers under the Noise Act 2006 to enter a property and remove any item, or people, who are causing the excessive noise, as well as prosecuting the offenders. We don’t want to spoil people’s fun but not if this fun is at the expense of the welfare of neighbouring residents”.
The Police are working closely alongside Environmental Health Officers from the Department of the Environment, Food & Agriculture in relation to noise complaints, especially those that are recurring in nature.
John Howie from DEFA said “If an Environmental Health Officer agrees that noise constitutes a statutory nuisance he may serve an Abatement Notice under the Public Health Act 1990. Failure to comply with such a notice could result in court proceedings and the issue of a Nuisance Order. Ignoring this Order could end up with imposition of a fine of up to ?5000. Legal action is unpleasant and will inevitably further sour the relationship between neighbours. Environmental Health Officers would rather issue advice to attempt to resolve problems in a friendly manner and consider that legal action is the last resort.”
Inspector Mark Britton of behalf of the Neighbourhood Policing Teams said “This is all about neighbourliness and consideration for others. We do not want to prevent people having a good time but when it impacts on others it becomes unacceptable and the Police are called. We are putting measures in place to work with the Environmental Health Officers and we may visit people some days after the party has ended to impress upon them the need to be more aware of the impact they are having. If necessary this may result in them being reported for offences.”
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