‘There’s no escape’

When lockdown began last year, Lesley and Phillip Stew didn’t think their noise problem could ge any worse. They had been battling with various agencies for several years over the alleged noisiness of their neighbours in Coleford in Gloucestershire.

“In the past, we’d go out during the day but you couldn’t go anywhere so we were stuck,” said Lesley. Their neighbours were also stuck at home. The Stews complained of foul language, loud music in the garden, slamming doors and rows. “None of the agencies involved has taken any notice,” she said.

The Stews have now enlisted the help of ASB Help, a charity for people suffering from antisocial behaviour, and in June they installed security cameras.