Sound equipment including several CD players, a sound bar, record player, CDs, vinyl records and four televisions were seized from a property in Devizes by Wiltshire Council’s Public Protection officers earlier this week.

Wiltshire Council’s Environmental Control and Protection Team obtained a warrant from Salisbury Magistrates Court which was executed on Tuesday 15 July 2025. The council’s Public Protection officers were accompanied by Wiltshire Police as they executed a warrant at the property occupied by an individual who has caused considerable disturbance to her neighbours, resulting in sleep deprivation.

The enforcement action followed complaints about noise from music first made in January 2025. Evidence was obtained that the noise amounted to a statutory noise nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and an abatement notice was subsequently served on the Devizes resident in early March 2025.

Cllr Paul Sample, Cabinet Member for Environment said “The music was causing serious sleep deprivation to neighbours and affecting their ability to enjoy their own home in a normal manner. Complaints continued after the abatement notice was served in March and evidence was obtained that the abatement notice was frequently being breached.

“The warrant executed this week allowed officers to enter the perpetrator’s home, and seize any items that had been, or could be, used to breach the abatement notice.

“Noise complaints are more likely to occur during the summer months, when people have doors and windows open or are outside playing music.”

Noise complaints can be reported to Wiltshire Council directly via their website Noise nuisance – Wiltshire Council or by calling them on 0300 456 0107.