• WE are currently all in prison, all in various ways under stress. And – live and let live – it behoves us not to increase the stress of our fellow-prisoners.

If there is one issue which overrides all others in densely inhabited cities like ours, it is noise. Walls are often thin, and “neighbour noise” can drive people mad even at the best of times.

But in the present situation a non-stop barrage of loud music, any kind of music, can put people whose nerves are already shredded into a paralysing depression, particularly if that music goes on late into the night.

There are theoretical remedies, like local authority noise patrols, but at this juncture local authority staff are already over-stretched.

Another remedy is for any thoughtless offender to be told, very firmly, and if possible by all the neighbours affected, that their behaviour is causing a problem.

But the most desirable remedy is for all of us to think about the effect our music – or any other noise we make – may be having on the people in the property next door.

If we’re not sure, we should ask if it’s bothering them. A small thing, but a neighbourly gesture like this can make a world of difference.

MICHAEL CHURCH
EC1