Issue 150

Safer Swansea: Sshh! Campaign

04th December 2006

SSHH! stands for Silent Students Happy Homes and the campaign encourages you to be considerate in your community generally. For example, in terraced or semidetached housing the walls may be quite thin, so any shouting, loud music etc is likely to be heard by your neighbours. If there are six of you all coming home at different times in the night and you all slam the front door, there is the potential for your neighbours to be woken up six times!

What constitutes noise nuisance is often subjective. As a result there is a need to maintain noise levels that do not cause friction between students and established communities.

Swansea University Students' Union is asking for students to respect their neighbours by keeping noise to a minimum in the house and whilst walking home through residential areas at night. This isn't saying that you can't enjoy yourself, and it's certainly the case that not every bump in the night is caused by students.

The message of this campaign is to just think about the effect the noise you do make may have on residents getting up for work in the morning, or trying to get their children off to sleep.

Think back to the last time the postman woke you to sign for a letter at 8 am after a night out - not pleasant!

Owen Morgan, Student Union President says, "It is important that students remember to have respect for those around them. Students do so much in the community, like helping out neighbors and volunteering in the community with RAG and Discovery and it only takes a few loud students to bring a bad name on us all.

"A bit more consideration should be taken when you're coming back to your house and walking through Brynmill or Uplands after a big night out in town!"

For more information check out www.swansea-union.co.uk Look out for SSHH! posters around campus for tips on how to help make the communities you live in more peaceful at night.

Let's show the residents, media and University that we give respect and deserve it back… Support the SSHH! campaign!

Safer Swansea gives the following advice:

Noise from neighbours is a common source of nuisance, and for some people it can be very upsetting. Remember that no house or flat is totally soundproof; everyone can expect a degree of noise from neighbours.

If you are being disturbed by noise from neighbours you should firstly, approach them and explain politely that you are being troubled by the noise. Although you may find this difficult it is surprising how often neighbours are unaware of the unhappiness they are causing.

If you get no success this way you can contact the Environmental Department (01792 635600) at the Council. If the officer is satisfied that a statutory noise nuisance exists an abatement notice will be served.

If the person does not comply with the requirements then he / she is guilty of an offence and can be prosecuted by the Department.

If you are causing a notice what can you do to help?

1. Do not put speakers on walls
2. Make sure you can hear the doorbell over the music or TV
3. Keep volume levels low late at night
4. Inform your neighbours if you having a party.
5. If your dog is barking – see why and quieten it.
6. Do not use your washing machine or tumble dryer late at night.

If you are going to have a party let your neighbours know in advance – this shows respect and will help to avoid problems later on Above all, be reasonable if your neighbour approaches you with a problem.

If you would like any more advice or information please contact Daniel Jones at the Community Safety Unit in Swansea Council on 01792 635685.

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