'Mosquito Alarm' in residential area - Legal?

[licklechap]

We live on a development of about 40 house, lots of kids play in the street all the time as there is no through road - they have a great time. My 13 year old son has just come in and said that a man has installed one of these alarms (that only teens and children can hear) next to his friends house (ages 10, 13, 15, 17) and when they play in the friends drive or in the road it drives them mad. What are the lagalities of someone installing one of these in A) a residential area, and B) next to a drive of someone else's house where 4 children live?

Many thanks in advance for your time and answer.

[Fay Mousse]

It seems it is not illegal yet:

http://tinyurl.com/52c6p6

However, I really would contact the local environmental health office as a matter of urgency IF it is affecting children in their own homes - in bed with the window open, for example. We all have the right to quiet enjoyment of our own home.

I do have to think what has prompted somebody to go to the extremes of installing a �500 device - is he a shift worker or in ill health?

[SaintAleia]

Oh my gosh that must be a nightmare for them!! I bought an alarm with a sensor to keep my cats off the kitchen counter at night which is basically the same thing, it says people won't be able to hear it but it kept me awake all night as the cats investigated what was making that horrific noise!
Urgh these things should be banned, it's such a horrible piercing noise and in my opinion worse than a pneumatic drill!
Is he trying to make himself unpopular or what?!

[licklechap]

Thank you both for your replies. 'Fay' that is an excellent idea about the environmental health, I will look into it! 'Saint' thanks for your input and opinions, maybe these things are OK for businesses and the like, but residential areas where kids live? A big no no.

As for the chap who installed it, nowt wrong with him, think he's just an old grump!

Thanks to you both again.

[New Judge]

Have another think about Fay�s reply, licklechap.

As she said, �We all have the right to quiet enjoyment of our own home� and this includes the old grump who installed the device. Fay has wondered what prompted him to install it and so should you. I cannot imagine he went to the trouble and expense for no reason other than to be obnoxious.

The downside of living in a cul-de-sac is that children (and many of their parents) seem to believe that the street is their playground and that any annoyance caused to other residents simply goes with the territory.

Children are not the only people with requirements and their needs and wants are not paramount. Others have requirements too and theirs deserve equal consideration and respect.

Before you head of the the Town Hall you should consider what prompted your neighbour's action.

[licklechap]

Hi New Judge - all I can say is fair comment. Of all the 40 houses on the development I would say that there are 3 which don't have children. The man that installed this device has 2 of his own, I think they are now 16 and older, to be honest I would say (knowing them) that they are off terrorizing other people elsewhere.

When the children play in the street her it's just bike riding, skateboards and kirby, maybe the odd football game between 6 kids. There is a hill here and kids go down it full pelt on their scooters, bikes and skateboards screaming their heads off, I would say that the 8 or so houses on this hill would have more reason to grumble.

[bananie]

Everyone is entitled to quiet enjoyment of their property as said previously. This device may constitute a continuous nuisance, but then, so could noisy kids out 'playing' to all hours.