Almost 40,000 complaints made over 'noisy neighbours' over lockdown
Thousands of complaints were recorded across the West Midlands as noisy neighbours caused a headache during the coronavirus pandemic.
New figures reveal how the confinement to homes during lockdown brought householders into conflict.
Complaints registered in our region were up by more than a quarter on normal times.
Many came from loud music being played, especially in the summer lockdown when windows and doors were likely to be open.
Almost 15,000 complaints were made in parts of the Black Country and Staffordshire during the first year of the pandemic. But the figure is far higher as not all authorities provided figures.
The data was revealed in a Freedom of Information request made to authorities across the country, which found more than 368,000 complaints were filed.
Figures show a total of 3,240 noise complaints were made in Dudley alone over the period, up substantially on the year before.
Councillor Laura Taylor-Childs, cabinet member responsible community safety, said: "We take all complaints about noise very seriously and remind people of their responsibilities. In extreme cases we will not hesitate to prosecute people through the courts if they do not take advice and continue to breach acceptable levels of noise.
