Sirens are making people's lives a misery since police moved into the town hall a month ago, according to a distressed neighbour.

Paul McLellan, who lives in a flat in Capitol Square, said the fleet of police vehicles now parked right outside their windows is causing a lot of disruption.

He said: "As the car park is substantial in size you would think that this wouldn’t be a problem. This is not the case.

"The council have decided to park the vehicles meters away from the flat windows and balconies. This is a fully operational bay, with police vehicles coming and going through-out the day and night, using their sirens without any thought of the residents.

"This is causing the residents a great deal of distress and the council just don’t seem to care."

A spokesman for Epsom and Ewell Council acknowledged a complaint had been made, but said police were aware of the considerations which come with being stationed next to a residential area.

He said sirens were only used when the police believe it is necessary or desirable to do so when responding to an "urgent incident or to warn other road-users of their presence".

He added: "The car park has been in use, day and night, for a considerable time - longer than the Capitol Square flats have existed.

"Recently, eight bays have been allocated to the police, following their move to the town hall.

"These were existing bays and the car park has not been extended or altered in any way.

"The police are fully aware that the area around the town hall car park is a residential area and do not use sirens in the environs of the car park.

"The use of sirens by the police and other emergency services is controlled by Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.

"The council has welcomed the police move to the town hall both in terms of better value for the council tax payer, as we are sharing the building, and as it ensures a police presence is maintained in the centre of the borough."