Report a noise issue

A noise diary is a document on which you can record details of the noise disturbing you. 

It contains entries for the time, description and the effect the noise had on you. The diary needs to be maintained by the complainant for two weeks or until it is full (whichever is sooner). 

The Community Safety team use this diary to investigate the complaint.

Once completed, the record sheets should then be sent back to the Community Safety team.

If it is not returned after four weeks the team will send a reminder.

If the record sheets are still not returned after a further two weeks, the case will be closed.

If a noise pack is received by the Council at a later date and with information more than three months old, it may be necessary for a new pack to be sent out.

In order for the Community Safety team to take legal action on your behalf, an officer must first experience the noise and be satisfied that a statutory nuisance exists.

This means the noise occurring must be gross, persistent and regular and is likely to interfere with the reasonable enjoyment of your home.

If the Community Safety team cannot gather enough evidence to determine a statutory nuisance, or cannot take your case to court for other reasons, you can deal with the matter privately and take your case directly to the Magistrates' Court.

• Noise diary - use this diary to record instances on noise nuisance.
• Noise a Guide for Neighbours - useful tips for being a quiet neighbour and tips for dealing with noisy neighbours
• Noise pollution from fireworks

Explanation of decibels

Noise is measured in decibels. This table gives you an idea of how loud some common noises are: