Thinks Noise Criminal

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30901, 6 November 1965, Page 15

Thinks Noise Criminal

(N.Z P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 5. The British Noise Abatement Society has advertised for evidence to help it have assault by noise made a criminal offence. At present, such cases are treated as civil offences under the Public Health Act. The usual penalty is a fine. The society wants stiffer penalties. “Assault by noise has the same effect as a cosh over the head,” said its chairman, Mr John Connell. “Therefore we want it treated in the same way as phvsical assault.” Mr Connell said the penalty for physical assault ranged fmm three months’ to life imprisonment. Similar pena'ties would deter peonle who were not deterred by fines. “ T n this affluent society anyone can afford a £5 or £lO fine ” Mr Connell said there was o v erwhelming evidence from a" over the world that noise was a very dangerous thing. ♦

“Noise is one of the things that drives people around the bend," he said. He was asked what were the noisiest things in modern life.

“It all depends where you live. If you live near an airport there is nothing else but the aircraft. “If you live near main roads it is the motor-cycles, sports cars and lorries. “In the country it is bark-

ing dogs and pneumatic drills.”

Mr Connell said the society wanted a test case to put before the courts. It had advertised in newspapers and medical journals for people with authenticated cases of physical or mental damage by noise to come forward. Once an authenticated case had been found, the society would make its next moves.