COUNCIL chiefs today turned their focus on neighbours from hell in a move to crack down on the rising tide of noise nuisance complaints in York.

Plans for City of York Council to work more closely with police and private security firm Mayfair Security to tackle the issue were yesterday approved at an executive meeting.

Improved links between those groups and the council's environmental and housing services will also be forged under the new proposals. Regular officer meetings will be held to discuss tackling ongoing problems, particularly in council homes.

Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Andrew Waller welcomed the streamlining - which stemmed from an ombudsman case that found a council house complaint was not handled to the same standard as problems raised by non-council tenants.

He said: "Now complaints will be dealt with under a unified system. That will push the standard up across the board."

He said the pilot with Mayfair Security would see its officers check if noise abatement orders had been breached. Residents who breach such orders face fines of up to £5,000.

Coun Waller said: "York has no more of a problem with noisy neighbours than anywhere else in the country, but it's still one we are very concerned about. Late-night noise across the country is becoming more of a problem, increasing people's stress levels."

Mike Southcombe, manager of the council's environmental protection unit, said: "The new agreement between the council, police and Mayfair Security will mean more effective enforcement action against tenants who engage in anti-social activity."

Council leader Steve Galloway told yesterday's meeting that the co-ordinated improvements would be welcomed in a society where "loud music seems to be increasingly popular".

Updated: 11:02 Wednesday, November 19, 2003