Cameras can lead to drivers receiving a fine up of to £1000, or a fixed penalty notice of £100.
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Over 700 fines have been issued in Kensington and Chelsea since noise sensing cameras were introduced in 2020.
The borough was the first in the country to introduce the system, with others now reportedly considering it.
Kensington and Chelsea Council has had contact with authorities in Brighton, Manchester and Sydney (Australia) all expressing interest in the acoustic cameras.
Nine camera systems are currently in place across the Borough. Credit: James Tillotson.
How are fines imposed?
However, it’s not just about the noise. When City News asked the council how fines were imposed, they detailed the process:
The camera system gets triggered by noise exceeding the threshold and starts to record.
Footage is sent to the cloud from the camera so that an officer can review the footage and audio.
A classic car or a truck that’s loud because of its age, but driving normally, wouldn’t be deemed in breach.
Antisocial behaviour would be in breach (engine revving, sudden acceleration, racing, stunts, nuisance horns or music, threatening behaviour or causing an obstruction).
If the vehicle is in breach, a fine is then issued by the borough. Typically, it’s a fixed penalty notice of £100.
If a summary conviction is reached in Magistrates Court, then a fine of up to £1000 can be imposed.
Under the rules, you don’t have to be in a motor vehicle to be at risk of a fine – you can breach the public space protection order on a peddle bike.
The council claims that residents are fans of the scheme, which sees “few repeat offenders”.
Kensington and Chelsea Council did not detail the cost of the camera units when asked by City News.
Motorists caught out by the system Credit: Kensington and Chelsea Council
Are the cameras popular?
A consultation found that 84% of the 473 respondents showed ‘significant support’ for the PSPO – specific data on the cameras is unavailable.
City News spoke to one person who said the cameras make them paranoid about “getting caught out”, as they frequently drive past the cameras to go to work.
The camera systems are portable, making them easy to move. Councillors for Kensington, Chelsea and Fulham recently sent a survey to residents asking where they want the cameras moved to.
The microphone, seen on the top left, picks up noise which can be analysed by officers. Credit: James Tillotson
Where are the cameras?
City News has compiled a list of where the cameras are currently installed:
Holland Park Avenue
Holland Road
Kensington High Street
Pembroke Road
Fulham Road
Sloane Street
Lower Sloane Street
Cadogan Square
Brompton Road
Source: Kensington and Chelsea Council
The borough has also recently received applications for new systems which could see the number of cameras increase above nine.
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HeadlineOver 700 fines issued for ‘noisy vehicles’ since acoustic cameras introduced
Short Headline700 fines issued from 'noise sensing cameras'
StandfirstYou're being listened to on the streets of London – or at least your vehicle is.
Over 700 fines have been issued in Kensington and Chelsea since noise sensing cameras were introduced in 2020.
The borough was the first in the country to introduce the system, with others now reportedly considering it.
Kensington and Chelsea Council has had contact with authorities in Brighton, Manchester and Sydney (Australia) all expressing interest in the acoustic cameras.
Nine camera systems are currently in place across the Borough. Credit: James Tillotson.
How are fines imposed?
However, it’s not just about the noise. When City News asked the council how fines were imposed, they detailed the process:
The camera system gets triggered by noise exceeding the threshold and starts to record.
Footage is sent to the cloud from the camera so that an officer can review the footage and audio.
A classic car or a truck that’s loud because of its age, but driving normally, wouldn’t be deemed in breach.
Antisocial behaviour would be in breach (engine revving, sudden acceleration, racing, stunts, nuisance horns or music, threatening behaviour or causing an obstruction).
If the vehicle is in breach, a fine is then issued by the borough. Typically, it’s a fixed penalty notice of £100.
If a summary conviction is reached in Magistrates Court, then a fine of up to £1000 can be imposed.
Under the rules, you don’t have to be in a motor vehicle to be at risk of a fine – you can breach the public space protection order on a peddle bike.
The council claims that residents are fans of the scheme, which sees “few repeat offenders”.
Kensington and Chelsea Council did not detail the cost of the camera units when asked by City News.
Motorists caught out by the system Credit: Kensington and Chelsea Council
Are the cameras popular?
A consultation found that 84% of the 473 respondents showed ‘significant support’ for the PSPO – specific data on the cameras is unavailable.
City News spoke to one person who said the cameras make them paranoid about “getting caught out”, as they frequently drive past the cameras to go to work.
The camera systems are portable, making them easy to move. Councillors for Kensington, Chelsea and Fulham recently sent a survey to residents asking where they want the cameras moved to.
The microphone, seen on the top left, picks up noise which can be analysed by officers. Credit: James Tillotson
Where are the cameras?
City News has compiled a list of where the cameras are currently installed:
Holland Park Avenue
Holland Road
Kensington High Street
Pembroke Road
Fulham Road
Sloane Street
Lower Sloane Street
Cadogan Square
Brompton Road
Source: Kensington and Chelsea Council
The borough has also recently received applications for new systems which could see the number of cameras increase above nine.
A 39-year-old cyclist was killed in South East London after a collision with a lorry. A "ghost bike" has been placed near the site of the collision to warn future riders.
