Noise police raid dry cleaners

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Officials have already raided the Bayswater shop and seized the offending equipment.

The decision to take the owners to court comes after 18 months of complaints by neighbours who said they had to endure incessant noise every weekday due to excessive vibrations caused by the presses.

A team made up of council noise pollution officers and police raided the shop after the proprietors ignored several legal notices ordering them to solve the problem.

Earlier investigations had revealed the machinery was badly installed, meaning it made a sound like that of a hammer being banged against a wall constantly.

The owners of the dry cleaners, which cannot be named for legal reasons, could be fined up to £20,000 if they are found guilty of breaching noise pollution laws.

Audrey Lewis, Westminster cabinet member for community protection, said: "We made repeated attempts to contact the owners of the dry cleaners but they simply ignored our calls to resolve the situation.

"As their presses were not installed properly, they made a constant, loud banging noise and caused a great deal of distress to residents who were unable to relax in their own homes.

"We were forced to act and simply had no other choice but to confiscate the machinery. We will now pursue this matter through the courts."

She added: "This is certainly one of the more unusual cases we've had to deal with. We're more used to investigating noisy builders, late-night parties and loud dogs - we've not had to confiscate steam presses from a dry cleaners before."

The presses, which measure about 6ft by 6ft, have been dismantled and are now in storage. They will only be returned to the shop if the owners can provide an acoustic consultant's report detailing how they intend to adjust the equipment to run quietly.