...to ask how you would handle this anti-social behaviour?

[SuitcasesFullofBooze]

Name change for this as possibly outing.

I live in a block of flats in London. Downstairs on the other side of the road is a spot where a busker has now taken up residence. It’s almost directly opposite my window!

All day he plays his accordion attached to a portable speaker system. It’s the same despondent song, over and over again. We’re talking 5 or 6 hours every day. It's loud and we hear it in every room of the flat.

I’m WFH and it’s driving me crazy. Seriously. I even hear the tune when he’s gone, ringing through my ears. It’s the first thing I think of in the morning, wondering if he’s going to appear that day and I won’t be able to get anything done. When the busker appears on a weekend like today DS8, who I guess has picked up on my distress, gets upset and cries and says make it stop!! I don’t know how to help.

I’ve asked the police to move him on and the council have been out and spoken to him. But he still comes back, several days a week. How would you handle this?

Is he not licensed to perform there? I don't know what the arrangements are in London, but in my area he would have to have applied to the council for a license, and the police would move him on if he didn't have one (which, as a former busker, I think is disgusting - but I don't think buskers should be allowed electronic amplification either)

If the police and council won't do anything about him then I don't think there is anything you can do. You could try asking him nicely to go somewhere else, but he'll probably tell you to sod off.

If he doesn't have a licence to perform speak to the council again.

Unfortunately you need to report him every single time.

I went to the council @sadpapercourtesan and they don't allow busking. It's not one of those boroughs that do. So he shouldnt' be there at all.

@ThreeLittleDots report to council or police?

Just keep reporting

I would go and speak to him, explaining the impact its having on you. When he continues, which I expect, I would go and stand by him and continue to challenge him. Everytime someone stops to listen or give him money I would ask them not to, as he is damaging your everyday life. Hopefully he will get fed up and move somewhere more suitable.

It's not ideal, but what about noise cancelling headphones?

I know it shouldn't be down to you, and it would be better too get him moved on, but of nothing else is working?

I couldn't do that @Stichintime. He's part of a begging gang. I've seen a female "beggar" get dropped off at the same time as him by car. Wouldn't feel safe approaching him.

I can hear it through my noise cancelling headphones @FluffyBooBoo!!

He's busking, not begging so he's not really part of a begging gang, is he?

If he isn't licensed and you really want him gone, you'll have to keep reporting him, every day, until somebody takes notice.

I don't know who you report it to but call your local station if you can, and also environmental health and tell them it's happening every day and affecting residents' mental health and peaceful enjoyment of their home. Have you talked to any other neighbours?

I do sympathise, sounds horrid and you shouldn't have to wear headphones constantly in your own home!

I think when you play the same song over and over @sadpapercourtesan you take yourself out of the busking category

Keep calling the council and also the police. If it’s illegal they’ll move him on and hopefully he’ll get fed up and find somewhere else to go.

@ThreeLittleDots I asked 2 neighbours I know in another building, next to ours and they said yeah it's annoying but he has a licence. that's what made me check. no, no licence.

@Gosports would you report it via 101? I went to see the police at the local station. Reporting it would mean giving my address which I don't want to do.

A lot of buskers repeat the same tunes - they're practising. Generally speaking you would position yourself somewhere where only passers-by would hear you, so the repetition wouldn't be a problem. He's probably not aware that you're sitting in your house wanting to stove his head in with a shovel

Tell your neighbours he doesn't have a licence and is there illegally. If you all submit reports to the local police and council every single time they will have to deal with it. Unless it continues to be reported then the authorities don't know it's happening.

You can report anonymously can’t you? I’m not sure, I’ve never done it, but it seems like persistence might be the only way forward.

I know when I reported a traffic offence to the council they were there within 15 mins but that was probably because they were able to issue a fine. Can they fine this guy?

Gov.uk website says:

"Restrictions
Busking is not illegal but your council will tell you about byelaws or rules you must observe, such as:

not making too much noise

not blocking public highways
(footpaths, pavements, open pedestrian areas)

not displaying notices asking for payment

not carrying out street trading (you need a street trading licence for this)

only busking in certain parts of the town or for a limited period of time"

Get there first, take your kid, dig out his ocarina.

Thanks @ThreeLittleDot. That's only if the council issues licenses. Mine doesn't, they've confirmed that. So the issue is how to persuade the council/police to keep taking it seriously until he goes away.

@sadpapercourtesan

He's busking, not begging so he's not really part of a begging gang, is he?

If he isn't licensed and you really want him gone, you'll have to keep reporting him, every day, until somebody takes notice.

Begging gangs regularly bully buskers into 'earning' money for them.

You do that by all (neighbours included) getting on the authorities' backs about it every single time. You really need to make pests of yourselves.

If you're in an area that doesn't license, are you sure he isn't allowed to be there? Are buskers just blanket-banned in your area?