Buskers are 'psychological torture' says judge

Buskers playing loud songs over and over have been compared to psychological torture by a judge who has ordered Westminster Council to stop the racket.

Global Radio took the authority to court over the noise which it said forced some staff to work in cupboards.

The judge said they were being subjected to "industrially amplified daily concerts" outside their windows.

He added: "While the volume is the principal mischief it is clear that the nuisance is exacerbated by the repetition and poor quality of some of the performances".

He observed in the hearing that the use of repetitive sounds is "a well-publicised feature of unlawful but effective psychological torture techniques".

After the ruling, resident Fadil Maqedonci, owner of Koha restaurant in nearby St Martin's Court, said: "When you are forced to listen to it, day after day, the same track over and over again at the level they play - it is affecting our lives."

He said his children were unable to sleep because of the noise.

Mr Maqedonci said he had fitted double glazing in an attempt to stop it, and he and his family "would not dare to try and open our windows. It's impossible".

He said he asked one busker to turn the music down.

"I don't think I can mention what he asked me to do," he said.

He said he had complained many times but no-one had come to see him.

In evidence, executive chairman of the nearby Hippodrome, Simon Thomas, said the noise was "tortuous" because of repeated sets and what the judge called "awful renditions".

Another witness said the vocals were worse than the instruments, and even worse when they were out of tune.

The judge in the City of London magistrates' court ruled "despite a long history of complaints and correspondence the council has failed to act to stop the nuisance or has been wholly ineffective".

Westminster council said it would "continue seeking a balance between minimising nuisance to our residents and businesses whilst ensuring performers can continue to add to the vibrant heritage of street entertainment in Westminster that has been loved by many for decades".

The council said it had prosecuted seven people for 21 separate offences since September last year, and that it "regularly seized equipment from unlicensed buskers, including in and around Leicester Square".

Global declined to comment.

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