We hear very often complaints that folk call the police to deal with a noisy party or neighbour and that the police don't do anything about it. There's a good reason for that - in Lambeth, it's normally not a police matter: the council have a department that deals specifically with noise issues and they are the ones to call in the first instance. There is an exception to this that is covered later, below.
Most times noise issues fall under two categories: before 11PM and after 11PM. We've been reliably informed that the council won't enforce noise ordinances before 11PM. After 11PM council officers will respond to the queue of reports in order, then must come to your premises to observe firsthand whether the level of noise is noticeable and is intrusive (usually they'll be the same thing but not always - crying babies, for example).
Once they establish there's a definite noise problem, the officers will issue an "abatement notice" to the people causing the noise to stop it, and they will list the actions that can be taken and the penalties risked should the noise not stop. A second visit, or ignoring an abatement notice can trigger a prosecution which could result in a fine of up to £5,000 so normally people turn the noise down on the first visit.
The council's noise office can be contacted during the day at: 020 7926 6111 (9am-5pm) and at 020 7926 5999 (10pm-3am Sunday-Thursday and 10pm-5am Friday and Saturday). They can be emailed at noise@lambeth.gov.uk or at the Noise Complaint form on the Lambeth Council website.
Exceptions
There are some exceptions to the above:
Construction work by builders (i.e. not DIY) can create noise only between the hours of 8AM - 6PM Monday through Friday, from 8AM until 1PM only on Saturdays, and never on Sundays or Bank Holidays. This is also subject to the same abatement notices and possible penalties as listed above.
Burglar alarms: All premises with audible burglar alarms must have a registered keyholder listed with the Metropolitan Police burglar alarm database in the event your burglar alarm goes off whilst you're away. Some commercial burglar alarm companies do this for you. Best to check with your provider as to whether you, or they, are responsible for doing this.
Parties and anti-social behaviour: The exception to involving the police in noise issues is when there is a potential public order violation. This might be a loud party with people spilling out on the streets or pavements and making noise there, possibly including drinking on the streets, possibly including property being damaged, possibly including fighting or the risk of fights breaking out (or just people being noisy outside) is a reason to involve the police. Dial 999 if you have seen or heard loud threats, property being damaged, fighting, etc, and the local police station phone number if people are outside being noisy.
