THE Government has been attacked for introducing legislation to crack down on noisy night-time neighbours without the cash to police the new powers.

The new night noise offence is aimed at combating disturbance such as blaring music coming from houses between 11pm and 7am.

But local authorities wanting to adopt it must back it up with a night noise investigation service.

Councillor Ken Curtis said: "This extra piece of legislation would have been an asset but because of cutbacks we just can't adopt it."

Hyndburn environmental services committee chairman, Councillor Len Dickinson said: "It's no good having excellent legislation without the funding to pay for it."

Environmental health chief Steve Todd assured councillors that the bulk of noise complaints within Hyndburn could be dealt with adequately under current powers. The existing noise nuisance controls applied 24 hours a day and would be used to the full.

Mr Todd said: "I feel the service we offer at the moment is adequate and provides a reasonable balance between what the public want and the cost of providing the service."

Environmental health officers investigate complaints in the evening and at night, if justified, councillors were told.

Councillor Peter Britcliffe said: "It is a sad fact that people don't seem as neighbourly or as considerate as they used to be.

"Someone goes from environmental health and the noise stops for a night or two.

"A few days go past and it's back on with a vengeance."

No authorities in Lancashire are expected to adopt this part of the Act.

Burnley Borough Council have written to neighbouring authorities suggesting a joint response team to deal with night-time complaints.

Councillors said they had no interest in joint arrangements at this stage without ruling it out as a possibility for the future if the need arose.

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