In St Helens, a noise emergency may be classified as a statutory nuisance or anti-social behaviour (ASB), which can potentially harm individuals or the community. Factors like location, time of day, frequency, duration, sensitivity, intensity, and the number of people affected are taken into account when determining if a noise qualifies as a nuisance.
Some common examples of noise that may be considered as a statutory nuisance include:
| Type of Noise | Examples |
|---|---|
| Loud music | From licensed premises like pubs and clubs |
| Dog barking | Excessive or frequent barking by neighbours |
| Kitchen extractor fan noise | From takeaways or restaurants |
| Delivery activities | Noise from non-domestic premises at unreasonable hours |
| Industrial machinery noise | Equipment generating significant noise |
| Audible intruder alarms | Going off unnecessarily |
| Construction and demolition noise | Ongoing work causing disturbance |
If noise persists despite reporting, officers may take further action under the ASB legislation. It's best to try resolving issues informally at first, but the council does take complaints seriously.