It woke me at around 3am and kept me awake throught to 7am. Unfortunately, I had to work that day. I am considering better ear-plugs but what are the rules (if any) concerning all-night noise in a residential area?
The Noise Act (1996) enables local authorities to measure noise, establish whether it exceeds a “permitted” level, and, crucially, to silence main offenders. The law was introduced as a means of controlling raves, so it’s especially effective when it comes to party-like cases that occur between 11pm and 7am. It allows the noise people from the council to order offenders to stop it immediately, have their sound system confiscated, and/or face a fine. Unfortunately the law is only effective if the local authority has chosen to implement it. Contact SMBC for more details.
It might be worth calling the police if it occurs again (and it adds credence if your neighbours are also disturbed and will report it as well). If the police believe the noise is “a breach of the peace” (which means, technically, it’s causing harm to a person or provoking others to violence) then they have powers to arrest, disperse or detain the perpetrators.
Quoting the law under which you are complaining is likely to make the Authorities take you more seriously as it makes them think you know your stuff and may cause them more bother if they ignore you than if they take action.