Silent disco banned for being too noisy

Generators, vehicles and crowds made too much noise for residents' liking

Park strife: generators, vehicles and crowds in Owen Square Park, Bristol, kept residents awake (Google)

A weekly silent disco held in a Bristol park has been banned from happening again after the noise kept nearby residents awake.

Revellers were set to descend on the city’s Owen Square Park again on Saturday night to dance to music pumped in through headphones.

But police have now issued a dispersal order after residents complained the events, which have been run without any kind of licencing, were so loud they were kept awake through the night.

Extra noise was made by generators, vehicles and people shouting, neighbours said. They added that they had found glass and excrement following each party, which are understood to have followed social distancing rules.

City councillor Afzal Shah told BBC Bristol the events need to be “nipped in the bud”.

Now, the S35 dispersal order will give police the power to break up big gatherings in the park between 6pm on Saturday until 6pm on Sunday.

Inspector Deepak Kenth, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: “The dispersal order has been actioned following consultation with the local community to address their concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area.

“We continue to encourage members of the public to report any issues to us so that proactive measures like this can be put in place.”