A PETERSFIELD man has had his hi-fi system confiscated by East Hampshire District Council after repeated noise complaints from neighbours.
This is the first time the county council has used its powers to confiscate music equipment due to repeated noise.
When the council initially received a complaint about the loud music, the man, of Cranford Road, was advised of the complaint and told that the council would take formal action if a statutory noise nuisance was proven.
Despite this letter, the occupier continued to play his music loudly, and as a result of evidence from the police the council served an abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 on the man on May 31.
The council warned him that breaching the notice could lead to prosecution, seizure of the equipment, or both.
However, the council continued to receive complaints of noise nuisance after the abatement notice was served, and gathered sufficient evidence of a breach to seize the equipment last Thursday.
The equipment included more than 300 records, eight speakers, three amplifiers and a couple of mixing desks.
The council is now going ahead with the prosecution and will request a confiscation order for all the equipment on that day in court.