MUSIC equipment and a television have been seized from a house in St Austell after the noise made nearby residents lives a misery.
Despite a noise abatement notice being served on the occupier of the Trevail Way property last year and further warnings, he continued to cause unreasonable disturbance to neighbours.
So officers from Cornwall Council's Public Health and Protection team, working with the Police, entered the property last week and confiscated all the equipment used to cause a noise nuisance.
The abatement notice was served following evidence of loud music causing a disturbance. The Council's noise monitoring equipment was used to record the noise from the property and officers from the public health team also visited and witnessed the noise.
Following the breach of the legal notice, a warrant was obtained and the property was entered and noise making equipment removed. The equipment removed included a large television, surround sound system, stereo system and speakers.
Authorised Officers are able to enter in such instances, by force if necessary, and can remove any equipment that could be used to cause a noise nuisance – this can include televisions, games consoles, CD and DVD players and other such equipment.
The removed equipment will be retained by the public health department for a minimum of 28 days and Cornwall Council also has the option to prosecute the offender which could result in a fine of up to £5,000.
The Noise Abatement Notice will remain in force ensuring that any new equipment brought into the property can be dealt with in the same manner should the need arise.
A spokesman from the police said: "Devon and Cornwall Police are dedicated to working together with partner agencies to reduce the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour in the local communities.
"This is a good example of where agencies can work together to stop local people from suffering from anti-social behaviour as anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.
Cornwall councillor Geoff Brown, cabinet member for homes and communities, said: "Excessive noise which affects neighbours and the local community amounts to anti social behaviour and will not be tolerated.
"Our Environmental Protection Officers will continue to monitor and seize equipment whenever necessary to crack down on this sort of unreasonable behaviour."
Complaints about noise pollution can be made to the Environmental Protection Team at Cornwall Council via one stop shops, by calling 0300 1234212 or through your local Councillor.
