Valerie Shawcross, LA
Kate Hoey MP
cc: Cllrs Princes, Oval, Bishops, Newington Wards
Dear Caroline, Val, Kate and Cllrs
Please find below a copy of our letter to the Metropolitan Police
regarding excessive noise from police vehicle sirens in Kennington.
We would welcome your support.
Best wishes
Cathy Preece
KA Administrative Assistant
Thursday, 11th March 2010
Commander David Zinzan
South Central Area Commander
Metropolitan Police Service
Room 1.14, Territorial Policing HQ
Room 1.14, Territorial Policing HQ
Victoria Embankment
London SW1A 2JL
Dear Commander Zinzan
The Kennington Association is saddened to have to write, once again, to the Metropolitan Police Service regarding the excess siren noise that is generated from police vehicles in and around Kennington, South London.
We understand that Kennington is on several trunk routes, and that we are bounded by three police stations in the area (Kennington Road, Walworth Road and Brixton), but we consider that more could be done to reduce the noise pollution from emergency vehicles. After we wrote to Chief Superintendent Richard Quinn in January 2004, we were pleased that the use of sirens appeared reduced for a short period; however, the noise now seems to have returned to its previous levels.
We are particularly concerned by the use of sirens at night. Whilst we appreciate that Kennington and the surrounding areas are often quite busy, and you wish to avoid pedestrian/vehicle accidents, we do not consider that the current excessive siren use at night can be justified. Excess noise has been shown to be detrimental to the health and well being of the general population. Indeed, “there is sufficient scientific evidence that noise exposure can induce hearing impairment, hypertension and ischemic heart disease, annoyance, sleep disturbance and decreased school performance”[1].
The Kennington Association would like to make a plea that, if possible, all new police vehicles be fitted with directional sirens. The London Health Commission noted in their 2002 document Health impact assessment – draft Ambient Noise Strategy[2], “The ambulance service, along with police and fire agencies, should be encouraged to draw on the latest research in order to review their choice and use of sirens. Additionally, directional sirens are said to make police journeys up to 10% faster and also safer due to fewer lane changes and fewer forced stops.[3] Embracing this new technology might increase vehicle and passenger safety as well as reducing noise.
Would you be able to advise on how Lambeth / Southwark Metropolitan Police Services are drawing on the latest research re. reviewing choice and use of sirens? A number of our members report that the Metropolitan Police Service in Kensington and Chelsea do not use sirens at night time at all, but we are unable to confirm this information. Could you inform us whether there is a consistent police policy for siren use within all inner London boroughs?
Yours sincerely
Kennington Association
cc: Assistant Commissioner Rose Fitzpatrick, Central Operation HQ, TPHQ Senior Management, Room 1001, New Scotland Yard, 10 Broadway, London SW1H 0BG
cc: Borough Commander Nick Ephgrave, London Borough of Lambeth, Brixton Police Station, 3rd Floor, 367 Brixton Road, London SW9 7DD
[1] Passchier-Vermeer W. & Passchier W. F. “Noise Exposure and Public health” Accessed 10/3/2010: http://www.jstor.org/pss/
[2] London Health Observatory, “Health Impact Assessment – Draft Ambient Noise Strategy” Accessed 10/3/2010: http://www.lho.org.uk/
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7 comments:
I am a Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator in Stockwell. I share the concern at the excessive use of sirens. However I have been out on a couple of 8 hour night shifts with the Teritorial Support Group, and although this is purely 'anecdotal research', from my observation the main culprits are the ambulance service. I would say that over half, perhaps 75% of sirens you hear are from ambulances, and they are much less disciplined in their use than the Police. You should therefore write to the London Ambulance Service. On my 'observation' trips with the TSG we did many 'blue light' calls, but as an example we once did a blue light at about 0100 all the way from Peckham to New Cross (to intercept a car with armed occupants being chased the other way), and the driver (a woman incidentally) only used the siren at red light junctions etc.
David Tomlinson
neighbourhoodwatch@tomlinsons.uk.com
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This seems to be getting progressively worse. I agree that the ambulance service is the main culprit. I live on the Camberwell New Road and have had my sleep disturbed many nights. The roads are empty at night so why it is necessary to use them at that volume puzzles me. There are some areas north of the river which ban the use of sirens at night because of the amount of disturbance they have created. Why can't we have the same down south? Who do we complain to about this?
I live in Herne hill and the ambulance sirens start before dawn. LAS and police vehicles career dangerously around the junction all day. The noise is intolerable and a cyclist I find that they almost make me fall off or else i have to stop and try to block out the noise.
The decibel level exceeds the dangerous level for hearing and children are also exposed.
Have tried to explore who to comment to through the Mayor's office and they suggested contacting each service directly. There are regulations about the use of sirens but it is up to the driver's judgement. And they are under pressure to meet their targets!
A.P
I live in Herne hill and the ambulance sirens start before dawn. LAS and police vehicles career dangerously around the junction all day. The noise is intolerable and a cyclist I find that they almost make me fall off or else i have to stop and try to block out the noise.
The decibel level exceeds the dangerous level for hearing and children are also exposed.
Have tried to explore who to comment to through the Mayor's office and they suggested contacting each service directly. There are regulations about the use of sirens but it is up to the driver's judgement. And they are under pressure to meet their targets!
A.P
I'm a mom of two, we just moved on Earl's Court Road (Kensington & Chelsea) and the noise of the sirens at night is ABSOLUTELY UNBEARABLE. I had a look at the window several times, these are Police cars. You can hear them once per night at the minimum, sometimes several times during the same night (and why would a siren even be needed in the middle of the night when the lane is obviously free?). Any idea who I should contact?...
we live in ickenham, middlesex and are subjected to no less than 6 siren runs a day sometimes 10 even on sundays at 7.30 in the mornining (no traffic) there seems to be a wanton use mainly by ambulances
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