Police annoyed at attitude to Noise Act

Press, 17 June 1983, Page 3

Police annoyed at attitude to Noise Act

PA Wellington The police have criticised the attitude of some local bodies in enforcing the new Noise Control Act. The Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Brian Davies, head of development and support at Police National Headquarters, said yesterday that he was very disappointed with the attitude of some local authorities. “We have had a six-month lead-in for this act to enable councils and officials to select and train staff to act as noise control officers,” he said.

Mr Davies said in some cases this had not been done with the result that the act was not being enforced. The people who would suffer

were the public who would find there was no-one available to deal with their complaints. Under the new act, police could not and would not get involved in a complaint about excessive noise unless a local-body officer had already attended the scene, said Mr Davies.

All police stations had been advised to tell people they must contact their local authority about complaints of excessive noise.

“Other offences must have been committed before police take the initial action,” said Mr Davies.

“Some councils have agreed to co-operate and give the new act a fair trial,” he said. “These bodies will receive our total support.”