Noise patrols 'may be hampered by Olympics' (From Your Local Guardian)

Summer noise patrols around Kingston 'may be hampered by Olympics'

11:14am Wednesday 18th July 2012 in News By Clare Buchanan

A noise patrol aiming to stop late night rackets may be hampered by Olympic commitments this summer.

Environmental health officers and police officers will respond to unreasonable levels of noise between midnight and 3am until September 1.

Residents can report problems during these times by contacting the patrol with a name, address, phone number and details of where the noise is coming from.

But a Kingston Council spokesman said depending on how busy the patrol is there may be delay in response and due to police commitments at the Olympics some patrols could be cancelled at short notice.

Opposition councillor David Cunningham praised the patrol but said he was uncertain why police commitments should affect a council run service.

He said: "The noise patrol is a really excellent thing.

"It was terribly successful and it just seems to be a real service that residents appreciate."

The late night patrols were axed by the council in budget cuts in 2008, but public demand saw them reinstated during the following three summers.

In 2009 the patrol received 70 calls over 12 weeks and officers visited 56 addresses and issued seven noise abatement notices and 15 written warnings.

To report a noise problem call 020 8547 5800.

Olympic coverage

Click here for Olympic news, views and information

Click here to follow our Olympic coverage on Twitter

Click here to follow our Olympic coverage on Facebook

Click here to for Olympic traffic news on Twitter