Be considerate

The city council’s aim is to reduce noise over time so we focus on the noisiest and most persistent offenders.

This may well mean we don’t visit every noisy party or disturbance in the early hours of the morning.

But every call is logged and we do visit premises when we can.

We will not hesitate to confiscate sound equipment or prosecute people in the courts where we have the evidence.

So it is always worth reporting noise outbreaks to the City Council. We prefer people to contact us during office hours on 01865 252887 and online at oxford.gov.uk.

But we will deal with calls from the public out of office hours and through the night on 01865 249811.

Whether we respond immediately to a call depends on the seriousness, how effective we can be and whether, for example, the police are available to assist. We will be tougher on late night noise during the week than on a one-off Saturday night party. But each case will be judged on the circumstances.

My message to the public is always be considerate of others. Remember other people have to get up in the morning. Please ask your neighbour politely to reduce any noise before contacting the city council.

Where there is a noisy disturbance in the street it makes more sense to contact the police, who can deal with rowdy behaviour, on 08458 505505 or even, in emergency, 999.

The city council’s commitment is to maintain a 24-hour noise nuisance service.

Cllr John Tanner (Labour), board member for a Cleaner, Greener Oxford; City Cllr for Littlemore & County Cllr for Isis