Complaints about noisy neighbours have gone up by almost 50 percent during the Covid-19 lockdown, according to environmental health officers who have created an app to help monitor the issue.
The Noise App is a tool used by 240 local auhorities and housing associations across the UK (about a quarter of the population). According to data collected by the app, the jump in reports covers music, barking dogs, anti-social behaviour, DIY and loud voices, and the worst time is between 10pm and midnight.
The Noise App (www.thenoiseapp.com) is a smartphone app designed for the public to report noise problems to their local authority or housing association (public bodies). It was created by a group of environmental health officers frustrated with the old method of completing paper diary sheets to catalogue noise problems.
A spokesperson for RH Environmental, the company behind the app, said: ’The rise in noise complaints also correlates with the increase in domestic abuse incidents announced this week by the National Domestic Abuse helpline. The Noise App does on occasions pick up potential domestic abuse cases and the app’s case sharing feature has enabled potential abuse cases to be referred to the police and social services.
’This data collected by The Noise App shines a light on the impact the lockdown will be having in some neighbourhoods. The app data also highlights the important work of Environmental Health departments in every local authority and the anti-social behaviour teams in Housing Associations.’