Revellers staging raucous parties this New Year's Eve could find themselves in court and out of pocket, as environment bosses pledge zero tolerance on anti-social behaviour.

Merton Council is urging disgruntled residents to speak out against their noisy neighbours during the party season and aims to prosecute those causing excessive noise pollution as part of a clamp down on disturbances.

The authority is working closely with police to provide a service to support residents and give them the chance to report loud gatherings to an environmental health officer.

This hard-line approach has already caught out two all-night party organisers from Mitcham.

Cynthia Hunter and George Peterkin, who were responsible for the La Sporta Community Centre in Church Road, were fined £200 each and ordered to pay £2,800 costs to the council when they appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on December 4.

The pair had ignored the council's warning of legal action if they caused more noise nuisance and were charged with failing to comply with an abatement notice banning them from playing music at a volume that would disturb neighbours.

The authority now hopes by naming and shaming offenders, it will deter others from holding loud, all-night parties.

Councillor Russell Makin, cabinet member for the environment, said: "The council provides a service at night to check on excessive noise and we are working in partnership with the police to stop this anti-social behaviour."

Leigh Terrafranca, of the East Hillside Residents' Association in Wimbledon, said: "This is great news. If Merton Council can do anything to give people more power to prevent this, it is a good thing."

If you experience noise pollution between 11pm and 4am on Saturdays you can contact an Environmental Health Officer through Wimbledon Police Station on 020 8947 1212. For further information telephone 020 8545 3025.

December 27, 2001 15:30