Noisy neighbour evicted from Paignton flat after repeated complaints

Residents in Paignton are set to enjoy a quieter start to the new year after a tenant was ordered to leave his flat following complaints about loud music and threatening behaviour.

Torbay Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) team secured the closure order after weeks of evidence-gathering. The case is one of many successful interventions by the council in 2025, carried out alongside neighbourhood policing teams to make the Bay’s town centres safer.

The work forms part of Operation Town Centres, introduced in 2024, which has also seen prosecutions for breaches of Community Protection Notices (CPNs) and Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs). Notably, one case led to the forfeiture of a dog used as a weapon in Torquay town centre, with the owner banned from keeping pets.

During 2025, town centre officers issued 44 community protection warnings and 23 notices, with five successful prosecutions for breaches. PSPO enforcement included 217 alcohol surrenders in Torquay and 26 in Paignton, along with 32 dispersals in Torquay, resulting in three successful prosecutions.

The council increased the number of town centre officers to six, providing a high-visibility uniformed presence six days a week across Torquay and Paignton. Night patrols by officers and street marshals run until midnight in Paignton and 10pm in Torquay. CCTV reports showed a 56% drop in begging incidents and a 26% reduction in aggressive behaviour in Torquay compared with 2024.

Council staff have also completed Community Safety Accreditation Scheme training, granting limited powers to tackle ASB. Torbay Council has leased a shop in Union Street, Torquay, to police for a monthly pop-up presence.

Council leader David Thomas said: “Well done to our teams for gathering crucial evidence to ensure successful prosecutions. The hard work pays off, and we’re seeing positive feedback from residents and businesses about our work in the town centres.

“We want to ensure retail businesses feel protected, and I encourage them to join the UKPAC scheme. We’ve also increased taxi marshals and promoted the Travel Guardian app, helping people stay safe in the evening. It’s encouraging that Stagecoach is continuing the night bus service on the number 12 route until at least April thanks to OPCC funding.”