AS party season hits full throttle tonight, revellers across Huddersfield may well be cranking up their stereos to have a bit of a boogie.

But while ’tis the season to be jolly, spare a thought for the Kirklees Council environmental health officials who have to police noise levels at homes, clubs and pubs across the region.

The popular Christmas carol may go “Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright”.

Unfortunately in Kirklees, the festive period is far from quiet.

The team has already responded to 7,000 complaints this year and December has been one of their busiest months for noise nuisance complaints.

This month the council’s Night-time Noise Service officers have already been called out in the early hours to three different properties that were already subject to Noise Abatement Notices – a legal order to keep quiet.

Officers were forced to seek a warrant to seize the equipment so that others could enjoy a quiet Christmas.

Along with dealing with people whose stereos are too loud, Kirklees Council’s Pollution and Noise Control team handle a wide variety of issues.

They work with businesses to monitor their impact on their neighbours and the environment.

They also investigate contaminated land, water quality, bad smells, and annoying smoke and light sources.

But the most common call-out is for noise nuisance complaints.

This year the noise team has received more than 4,200 call outs about blaring music, burglar and car alarms, barking dogs, shouting and noise from DIY.

Almost 3,000 of the complaints were about noise from domestic properties, including over 500 about barking dogs.

The remainder of noise complaints were about noise from pubs and clubs, industrial and commercial premises and construction work.

The majority of noise problems occur out of hours so the team operates an out of hours service for ongoing complaints during the week and a reactive Night Time Noise Service for all complaints at weekends.

In 2011 the Night-time Noise Service received almost 1,900 calls for help. Not all these requests required a visit, but almost 1,000 visits were made.

A Kirklees Council spokeswoman, said: “It is a popular time of year for parties and we do not want to spoil people’s fun, however there are a few tips to allow you to enjoy the festive period without causing a problem to your neighbours.

“We would advise customers to maintain a good relationship with their neighbours if possible.

“A quiet word from the person next door can often be just as effective as a visit from one of our officers.”

If you are bothered by excessive noise from your neighbours the Council’s Night Time Noise Team operate between 9pm and 5.30am.

Call 01484 414828.

Pollution and Noise Control officers manage to resolve the majority of noise complaints informally by having a friendly chat with those making the noise.

If enforcement action is necessary, action normally consists of serving the person responsible for the noise nuisance with a Noise Abatement Notice

This year the team has served 127 Noise Abatement Notices

Failure to comply with the requirements of an Abatement Notice is a criminal offence for which the maximum fine is £5,000 at domestic properties or £20,000 at commercial premises

Magistrates can give the council power to seize stereo equipment

In Kirklees this year there were 17 cases that have either already been taken to court or are being prepared for court

The average fine together with costs for the cases already decided was around £600.