Game over – Council seizes Playstation

Game over - Council seizes Playstation.

A Heywood man’s Playstations, TVs and stereo were seized by environmental health officers from Rochdale Council following persistent complaints of noise nuisance.

Rochdale Magistrates issued a warrant on 3 December for the removal of any noise making equipment from Neil Taylor's home on Lincoln Walk.

Environmental health officers visited the house the following day and stripped it of its entertainment systems, including a Playstation 3, Playstation 2, three TVs, CD player, iPod player and DVD player.

Mr Taylor, 25, received his first warning in October 2008 because the council had received complaints about loud music and shouting coming from the property when he and his friends were playing computer games. The complainant had been keeping a log of noisy incidents since September 2008 and a further two warnings were ignored.

Environmental health officers witnessed a noise nuisance and issued a noise abatement notice to Mr Taylor on 13 August 2009. Despite efforts to resolve the problem the nuisance continued, a breach was witnessed where the noise was so excessive the howls and screams of the frustrated gamers was clearly audible over conversations and the television in a neighbouring property.

Finally, the council applied for a warrant from Rochdale Magistrates in the hope that neighbours could enjoy a peaceful Christmas.

Andy Glover, Public Protection Manager at Rochdale Council, said: “Noise nuisance is a serious annoyance that can leave residents feeling miserable. It’s unacceptable for such disruption to people’s lives to continue which is why the council takes persistent complaints very seriously. Where we can, we will take action against inconsiderate perpetrators and bring relief to victims.”

The Police have been called out by local residents on a number of occasions because Mr Taylor and his gaming friends have been causing such a din in the house, garden and street.

Mr Taylor will have to pay the seizure cost of £395.66 if he wants the items back. The equipment will be kept in storage for 28 days and Mr Taylor will have to apply for it back by writing to the council. Any further breaches could lead to further seizures if new equipment is bought or even prosecution.

Ted Flynn, cabinet member for Community Safety, said: “I fully support the council using its power to improve the quality of life for local residents who are suffering noisy neighbours. Let this be a lesson to others who think that being inconsiderate has no consequences.”

This is the third seizure carried out by Rochdale Council this year. In March the council removed a 50 inch plasma TV from a couple in Rochdale who had ignored their warnings. In October another woman had her stereo and 2 and half ft speakers removed.