Harwich mother hits out as neighbours host three house parties in a week

Hannah Beales, of West Street, Harwich, said she heard a group of seven to eight people partying in a block of flats near her home.

She said: “They are making a lot of noise, drinking, banging, talking loudly, shouting, listening to music from 10pm to past 3am in the morning.

“At first, I thought it is my neighbours downstairs trying to have some fun and beat the boredom of quarantine, so I ignored it.

“I wouldn’t normally complain about it, but it has happened three times in the past week and every time the party becomes louder and lasts longer.”

The 18-year-old said she heard multiple voices.

Hannah said the noise has also kept her 15-month old baby up at night.

“I’m having to isolate for 12 weeks because I have Crohn’s disease, so I can’t go out at all,” she added.

“It’s really frustrating because I have to work from home, I can’t go out for shopping, not even for a walk.

“For people to disregard the rules and go out as they please, is just really frustrating.

“It makes me feel unsafe that they are breaking the rules and are not following the government’s guidelines.”

The incidents happened between May 6 and May 12.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We understand how difficult the current situation is for everyone, it is for us too and when we are off duty we too have been following the guidance and legislation.

“Our approach has been and continues to be engaging with people, explaining what they can and can’t do and encouraging people to do the right thing, only using enforcement when it is absolutely necessary.

“We know most people in our county want to do the right thing, ultimately saving lives and we thank them for that.

“In circumstances where some individuals are persistent in flouting the law, we advise people to report it to us.

“We will use common sense and discretion to determine what is reasonable and will continue to engage, explain, encourage and, only as a last resort, enforce.”