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Ever been kept awake by the incessant barking of your neighbour's dog ? The police have shed light on what steps you can take in such nightmarish scenarios - and their advice might just surprise you. While some might be tempted to dial 999 or ring the RSPCA , the Ask the Police website suggests having a chat with your neighbour first. This is mainly because they might be completely unaware of the problem and how much it's affecting you. However, the advice changes entirely when the noise is continuous or if a pet is being mistreated. An online post from Ask the Police explains: "You should speak to your neighbour about the problem, as they may not be aware that it is happening. "Unless there is any evidence of the dog being mistreated, then the RSPCA will not be able to help. If you do believe that the dog is being mistreated, you can contact the RSPCA via their telephone number 0300 1234 999. "The noise could be classed as a noise nuisance, so you would need to report it to the Environmental Health department at your local authority. Please see the website in Related Information to report a noise complaint to your local authority." You may be surprised to hear that Ask the Police's advice is also very similar in cases of noisy next-door TVs and blaring music. Crucially, the 'police have no powers of prosecution for noise offences' and contacting the neighbour directly is recommended in the first instance. However, for more persistent issues, residents ought to contact the Environmental Health Department at their relevant local authority. Most departments operate '24-hour cover' and can be reached at any time. According to a previous Mirror report , Ask the Police's advice continues: "For long-term problems, you may be asked by your local authority to keep a diary of information about the noise, such as when it occurs, how loud it is etc., and in some cases you may be provided with some equipment to record the noise. These two steps are designed to gather evidence. "If the council then decides that someone is causing a statutory noise nuisance, they must issue a 'noise abatement' order (i.e. a chance for them to turn the noise down), which if broken can lead to a fine, although it is likely they will give your neighbour the opportunity to turn the TV/music down without further action. The whole process can take some time to complete." Councils are also able to issue warning notices for complaints regarding noise surpassing permitted levels between 11pm and 7am. In serious cases, this may escalate to being deemed a 'statutory nuisance', provided certain conditions are satisfied. Should this occur, a fine of £110 for dwellings or a £500 fine for licensed premises within 14 days may be imposed. Failure to pay the notice or settle it promptly may result in a conviction and fine of up to £1,000 for dwellings and an unlimited amount for licensed premises. It is the council's responsibility to investigate noise complaints regarding: Statutory noise nuisance laws do not cover noise from: Councils can choose the level of service for handling noise complaints, such as whether to have officers available on call at night. For more information, head to GOV.UK .
