[www.thisislondon.com]

Noisy neighbours have become a scourge of modern life, resulting in stress, sleepless nights and even violence.

Now Westminster Council hopes a new wireless microphone could help tackle the problem. It plans to attach the device to lamp posts outside houses, allowing inspectors to monitor sound levels.

[…]

“Noise monitoring and CCTV are just two of the initial applications, and the great advantage is that we can move these sensors to wherever they are needed.”

Westminster operates a 24-hour noise helpline with a team of inspectors who can issue on-the-spot fines to offenders. But inspectors had to be in the right placeat the right time for this method to work, said Mr Harrison.

Anti-noise groups today welcomed the initiative. “This is potentially a big step forward and really could help,” said Mary Stevens of the National Society for Clean Air and Environmental Protection (NSCA). “In a city like London noise is a real problem, and is making people’s lives miserable.

“Wooden floors, dogs and music all contribute, and over time it can really affect people. It starts out with a lack of sleep, but can lead to retaliation attacks and serious health problems.”

Mmmm… this raises so many interesting possibilities, like Blue Thunder but without the helicopter.