A new study suggests that an increasing number of British householders are causing neighbourly disturbances.
Up-to-date figures published by MailOnline in recent days suggest that town halls have handed out more than 4,300 Community Protection Notices (CPNs) in the last year.
These notices, which are issued to people who are considered to be causing a ‘nuisance’ to their neighbours, can sometimes be accompanied by fines and further warnings.
Recipients are usually advised to ‘improve their behaviour’, amid concerns that causing a long-running ‘nuisance’ could easily lead to a difficult neighbourly dispute.
According to the research, a total of 4,376 CPNs were issued by as many as 125 local authorities and councils in the 12 months to October.
This represents an 11 per cent increase in the number of CPNs issued the previous year.
CPNs have been issued in relation to a wide range of matters, including:
- Inconsiderate parking.
- Loud dogs, or other pets causing a disturbance.
- Lighting bonfires.
- Feeding birds.
Britons are advised that any of the above and more could be deemed ‘nuisance behaviour’ in the eyes of the law and lead not only to CPNs and warnings from the council, but also to neighbourly disputes – which could end up before a Court.