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Noise nuisance and disturbances 

Noise can be disruptive, but it is not always antisocial behaviour (ASB). Noise is considered ASB when it unreasonably disrupts others’ peace, causes distress, or affects their health. This usually means persistent or excessive noise that interferes with daily life or wellbeing. 

If you’re experiencing ongoing noise problems, speaking to your neighbour can often help, as they may not realise their noise is affecting you. If the noise continues, you can report it to us.

How to report noise 

If the noise is coming from a Poplar HARCA resident, you can report it to our Community Safety team: 

We’ll take details from you and agree the next steps together. In the first instance, we may offer Conflict Coaching to help resolve the issue.   

We may ask you to download the Noise App and send recordings over a week. This helps us understand how often the noise happens and how it affects you. If you don’t have a smart phone, we can install a noise machine and speak to neighbours to gather further evidence.  

A Community Safety Officer will be your main point of contact and will support you throughout your case.

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Out-of-hours service with Tower Hamlets Council

If you’re affected by noise nuisance in the evening or at the weekend, Tower Hamlets Council operates an out-of-hours noise service from Thursday to Sunday, 8pm – 3:30am. Call 020 7364 5000 or find out more here.

We work closely with the team and will be told when you report late-night disturbances. 

 

Neighbours arguing or shouting

If you regularly hear shouting, arguing or other distressing noise from a neighbouring home, it could be a sign that someone is at risk of domestic abuse. 

If you’re concerned that someone may be in immediate danger, please call 999 straight away. 

If you’re worried about someone but they are not in immediate danger, you can report your concerns to our Safeguarding team.

 

Investigating your report 

If you believe that someone is deliberately causing noise nuisance, our Community Safety team will work with you to gather the evidence needed to find a fair solution.  

We may:

  • Carry out a sound test (this cannot be done if you choose to remain anonymous) – we recreate the disturbances and confirm where it’s coming from. This involves two officers visiting both your home and your neighbour’s home
  • Contact nearby neighbours – we may speak to other people living nearby to understand whether they are experiencing similar issues
  • Ask you to download the Noise App – Noise App 2.0 lets you record disturbances as they happen. Our team can review the recordings and log exact timings 
  • Install a noise machine – in some cases, we may need to install a noise machine in your home to gather further evidence of the noise

Your Community Safety Officer will talk you through the available options and agree an action plan for your case. 

 

Conflict resolution 

Conflict resolution (also known as mediation) is often the most effective way to resolve concerns, as it helps maintain a positive relationships between neighbours. If, after investigating, the reported noise is not assessed as antisocial behaviour, we will offer a referral to our conflict resolution service to help you in work towards a solution that works for everyone.