Residents in a quiet street in Eston, North Yorkshire, say they are being kept awake by a man reciting prayers loudly from his open window at 11pm. The nightly noise has led to tensions among neighbours, with one local councillor raising a complaint with the council.
Councillor's complaint
Paul Salvin, 44, a Conservative councillor, told the Daily Express: "This probably started with the warmer weather. Most nights he's doing this. I don't care about him praying, but he's doing it at 11 o'clock at night. Some of the things we've heard being shouted back are not great and as a local councillor I’m just worried tensions might rise when they don’t need to."
Mr Salvin said his wife heard someone shouting obscenities in response. He added: "We've no issue with him praying, but with children in college and school early morning, just do it with the window shut so we can go to sleep." He estimated the worshipper can be heard four or five nights a week.
Residents' reactions
Video shared with the Express captured the sound of a man appearing to recite religious verses from behind an open window in the dead of night. When the Daily Express visited the man's house on Wednesday (August 12) to put the accusation to him, there was no answer at the door.
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "It doesn't bother me." However, Mr Salvin insisted: "The last thing you need at night is this when you just want to sleep. He's entitled to pray, but shut your window. We don't all need to hear it."
Legal context and council response
There is no official guidance on how loudly people can express their faith. It is a human right to be able to practise a religion or belief without hindrance. Under freedom of religious belief principles, people can express their beliefs alone or with others, either in public or private.
A spokesman for Redcar and Cleveland Council confirmed it was aware of an issue about an alleged late noise disturbing residents in Eston. He added: "No official complaint from a resident has yet been made. All noise complaints are treated the same and should a complaint be received, it will be investigated following usual procedures."
It has not been possible to put the claims to the neighbour.
