MORE people are reporting on their neighbours creating noise and smoke than last year in Gloucestershire because of the UK coronavirus lockdown.

Between March 22 and April 20 this year, noise and smoke complaints rose in most districts in the county but most prominently in Stroud.

Complaints about smoke in Stroud rose by 61 while reports of noise increased by 43 compared to the same period in 2019.

The majority of noise and smoke complaints increased in the county this year compared to 2019 during the same period, apart from in Cheltenham where noise reports were equal and in the Cotswolds where noise reports decreased.

Stroud District Council said the “higher than usual” number of noise complaints is related to loud music and dogs barking, adding officers are hearing of more dogs barking because more people are working at home.

Dave Jackson, Stroud District Council’s Environmental Protection Manager said: “Clearly, a lot of people are spending more time at home and so increasing the chances of either creating or suffering from a noise or smoke problem.

“Some people have more time on their hands than usual and have responded by tidying the garden and household, which has undoubtedly led to a significant increase in bonfires.

“Others also have the opportunity to play their music, perhaps moving equipment outside in the sunny weather we’ve been experiencing. Maybe they’re keeping later hours as they don’t need to rise early at the moment.

“Finally, many people are simply worried and fearful which is perhaps leading to actions that wouldn’t normally arise, whether that be to create noise or smoke problems or to complain about things that wouldn’t normally annoy them.”

What does the data say?

Stroud:

Smoke: 2019: 12, 2020: 73

Noise: 2019: 14, 2020: 57

Cheltenham:

Smoke: 2019: 1 , 2020: 10

Noise: 2019: 20 , 2020: 20

Gloucester:

Smoke: 2019: 5, 2020: 19

Noise: 2019: 28, 2020: 45

Forest:

Smoke: 2019: 10, 2020: 28

Noise: 2019: 8, 2020: 18

Cotswolds:

Smoke: 2019: 4, 2020: 18

Noise: 2019: 10, 2020: 5

Tewkesbury:

Smoke: 2019: 17, 2020: 22

Noise: 2019: 25, 2020: 31