THE noisebusters are celebrating at the double.

Kirklees Council’s night time noise service is celebrating its fifth anniversary this month.

And the service has scooped a national award for its efforts to improve the lot of residents by tackling noisy neighbours.

The team provide a fast response to Kirklees residents who are troubled by noise at night and they have dealt with more than 8,400 requests for help since being formed.

Over the years there has been a 60% increase in the number of noise complaints and a typical weekend will see the service responding to around 40 calls.

Most of the complaints dealt with are about noisy neighbours playing loud music or having noisy parties.

There has been a noticeable increase in people choosing to entertain at home and the availability of more affordable – but more powerful – stereo equipment has led to more noise complaints being made to the service.

Complaints are also made about entertainment premises such as pubs and nightclubs and the service also deals with a wide range of other issues such as barking dogs, burglar alarms, noise in streets, fireworks and illegal burning.

Kirklees Council Leader Clr Mehboob Khan is to go out overnight with the noise team on Saturday to see the challenges they face.

He said: “I am very aware of the problems caused by people persistently playing music too loud and will probably witness this first hand on Saturday night.

“Loud music can cause stress and ill health to neighbours and can also damage your own hearing over a period of time.

“Please consider your neighbours and do not cause a nuisance.

“I know that the noise team work hard to try and resolve problems amicably and it is only when this fails that further action is taken.

“If persuasion doesn’t work, a Noise Abatement Notice can be served and further breaches may lead to sound equipment being confiscated and the offender prosecuted.

“Formal action such as this occurs in only 5% of cases.

“I am always keen to gain a thorough understanding of the work being done by council staff and to witness it for myself first hand.

“Going on night-time duties with the police and licensing teams and also joining in with the work of our refuse collection team, were valuable experiences.

“I’m sure Saturday night will be just the same.”

The Council’s pollution and noise control team scooped a national honour in the John Connell Awards – also known as the Noise Oscars.

These recognise local authorities, manufacturers, organisations and individuals who have made outstanding efforts to reduce the impact of noise nuisance and who pioneer practical and innovative solutions to noise pollution.

The Kirklees night time noise service operates between 9pm and 7am on Friday and Saturday nights and on Bank Holiday weekend Sunday nights.