Longhurst Group to roll out The Noise App for anti-social behaviour cases

Longhurst Group customers will benefit from being able to use a new app to report noise nuisance.

We’ve agreed to roll out use of The Noise App following the success of a recent trial period.

The app allows our customers to record any noise disturbances from within their own property before sending it directly to us.

Colleagues will then gather this evidence before deciding whether any action needs to be taken. The app is free to download to a smartphone or tablet.

Customers should have an open anti-social behaviour case with us before using the app, if possible.

Having the app will allow us to investigate matters more precisely, as we will get exact times of recordings, as well as locations.

During the trial period, 29 cases were using The Noise App, with between 10 and 30 recordings being submitted each day.

Rachael Dobson, Legal Enforcement Manager, said: “During the trial, we had an excellent take-up across the whole of the Group.

“It helped to evidence some of the noise complaints, which helped investigating officers address the behaviour and a couple of warnings have been issued as a direct result of this.

“It has also helped dis-prove claims in one case, and in fact highlighted other serious issues which enabled the Housing Team to provide appropriate support.

“We feel, following feedback from customers and colleagues, that this is an extremely useful tool and we’ve decided to roll it out fully.

“Recordings are updated daily and customers are sent an acknowledgment that their recording is now under investigation. 

“It also allows the customer to provide a written account of what’s happening and how they feel as well as rate the level of noise they are experiencing out of 10.

“Having the app will allow us to investigate matters more precisely, as we will get exact times of recordings, as well as locations.

“We can then investigate further and make informed decisions on the most appropriate and proportionate action to be taken.

We feel, following feedback from customers and colleagues, that this is an extremely useful tool and we’ve decided to roll it out fully.

“In more serious cases, the evidence can be shared with partner agencies such as Environmental Health to utilise their tools and also to download to be used in a court of law.

“This is very exciting and gives us a great opportunity to connect with our customers who are experiencing anti-social behaviour. 

“We hope that this will help them feel more supported as we’ve seen a rise in anti-social behaviour during the current circumstances.

“I’m very pleased we’ve been able to provide a fit for purpose piece of technology to aid with our investigations into noise nuisance. I’ve every confidence The Noise App will continue to work well for us and our customers.”

To download the app, search The Noise App in your app store on your smartphone or tablet.

A short Youtube video has been produced explaining how to get set up on the app. It can be viewed below.

In a slight change from the trial period, we will now be known as ‘Longhurst Group’ rather than ‘677’ in the provider list.