Sounding off: 3,000 complaints over noise

COUNCILS across Derbyshire received more than 3,000 complaints about noise and disturbance in the last 12 months.

Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act showed a total of 3,101 complaints had been made to authorities in the county.

Over the past year Derby City Council received 1,005 – the highest number for any authority in Derbyshire.

Environmental health officers issued 32 abatement notices and confiscated stereos, televisions and high-performance speakers on three occasions.

Councillor Robert Troup, cabinet member responsible for environmental health, said the figures showed the council took noise complaints seriously.

He said: "We are as proactive as we can be.

"When we can take action against people – such as confiscating equipment – then we do.

"But we would like to do a lot more than we have been able to do in the past, because noise pollution is a big issue for people in Derby.

"In this kind of weather, when people are having barbecues and keeping their windows open, we tend to receive a lot more complaints."

Amber Valley Borough Council received 460 complaints, served four notices and confiscated equipment on one occasion.

Erewash Borough Council had 290 complaints and made eight abatement notices, while South Derbyshire District Council had 254 and served three notices.

Derbyshire Dales District Council received 126.