Police Response to Student Household Noise

A dedicated team of two Durham Constabulary officers patrols student areas during peak times and provide a reassuring presence in the Market Square and across Durham’s night-time economy. These officers respond to reports of anti-social noise and work to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all residents and visitors.

How to identify police officers

Durham Constabulary officers attending noise reports will be in official police uniform and carry identification. Officers may use body cameras when engaging with residents, and there will never be a single officer attending alone.

What happens when someone reports Anti-Social Noise?

The University has worked with Durham County Council and Durham Constabulary to put an Anti-Social Noise Procedure in place, codifying the action that can be taken when overnight noise from student properties causes a disturbance. The procedure can be read here and a summary of the process follows:

1. Report the noise to Durham Constabulary via 101

Anti-social noise includes loud noise after 11pm and before 7am. Supporting evidence, such as audio recordings, can be sent to DCC via The Noise App once a 101 report has been made. A user guide for the app is available here. For those unable to use the app keeping a diary is recommended (see diary sheets). Noise outside of these hours, such as day time disturbances, can be reported to DCC.

2. Police attendance

During peak hours police officers will aim to attend within 30 minutes of receiving despatch call.  Outside of these times, police may attend depending on available resources. Durham University funds a dedicated Public Protection Team Officer who visits every property reported to Durham Constabulary.

3. If the same property is reported via 101 a second time, Durham County Council (DCC) may issue a Community Protection Warning (CPW) to its residents - if there is enough evidence to do so.

4. In the case of a third instance of anti-social noise, DCC may issue Community Protection Notices (CPNs) - again, if there is enough evidence to do so.

5. Failure to comply with a CPN can result in a Fixed Penalty Notice and prosecution.

Where it is found that anti-social behaviour has occurred other than anti-social noise, reports may be shared with Durham Constabulary. Information may also be shared with a student’s College where a breach of the Non-Academic Misconduct Procedure has occurred (this procedure is available online via the Student Conduct Office. Please note that we will not be able to update individually on the outcome of every report except in accordance with established partnership agreements.

What do I need to do when making a report?

Every effort is made to make call handlers aware of student areas and the bespoke protocol in place by which Durham Constabulary handle calls relating to noise in these areas.

However, when reporting noise at a student property to 101, it can help to:

• Be patient, 101 handles a high volume of calls - call handlers will answer your call.
• Describe the type and extent of the noise.
• Provide the address the noise is coming from.
• Explain clearly that you believe it is a student property.
• Ask specifically for a response from the Durham University Community Response Team.
• Ask for an incident number.

What about other noise complaints?

The above procedure is intended to address noise associated with student parties, particularly within anti-social hours.

Durham County Council has a separate process for investigating ongoing and persistent noise complaints such as regularly playing the TV loudly or talking on the phone outside during unsociable hours.

Should issues arise such as these, then a complaint can be logged with DCC by calling 03000 260 000 or online at Do It Online.

Mapping

Pinpoint is a tool created by the City of Durham Parish Council in partnership with Durham Students’ Union as a means of mapping issues of late-night noise and other forms of anti-social behaviour in Durham City Centre. Please note that by logging an incident here, you are not making a formal report, but it does inform the targeting of resources by relevant partners.

If you have any questions regarding this procedure, please email community.liaison@durham.ac.uk 

Useful links:

Legislation: Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (legislation.gov.uk)

Statutory Noise Nuisance: UK Government, Durham County Council

Environmental Health: Durham County Council

Anti-Social Behaviour: Citizens Advice, Crime Stoppers, ASB Help, Durham Constabulary

Student Advice and Support: Durham Students’ Union, Durham University Counselling Service, Report + Support - Durham University

Mediation: Durham County Council