Territory-wide operations against noise annoyance caused by noise from shops

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) attaches great importance to noise annoyance to citizens caused by noise from shops. To improve the noise environment in various districts, in the past three months the EPD has closely monitored the situation of noise nuisance caused by shops at black spots in various districts and carried out a series of enforcement operations, with a view to stepping up efforts to combat these illegal activities. Relevant departments, including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Hong Kong Police Force, have also participated in the enforcement operations.

     A spokesman for the EPD said that, during the operations, staff of the EPD conducted numerous inspections at the targeted shops at black spots in Tsuen Wan, Yuen Long, Tai Po, Sham Shui Po, Wong Tai Sin and North Point. The shops mainly sold fresh meat, frozen meat, fish, fruit, vegetables and telecommunications equipment, and used loudspeakers for street cries or broadcasting promotional recordings at high volume for the purpose of attracting customers' attention to their goods. After assessment, staff of the EPD discovered that 24 shops in a total of 34 cases were suspected to have violated the Noise Control Ordinance. The EPD is instigating prosecution against these shops. Apart from prosecuting non-compliant companies, the EPD will also prosecute the directors of the companies with repeated offences in accordance with the law, with a view to stiffening penalties and enhancing the deterrent effect.

     The spokesman added that the department's enforcement action will continue, with a focus on shops with repeated contraventions. In addition, the EPD will jointly conduct blitz enforcement action with the FEHD and the Police to combat the illegal activities. The spokesman reminded persons responsible for retail shops and peddlers that they should not use street cries or broadcast promotional recordings in public places to attract customers, so as to avoid causing noise annoyance to nearby residents. Upon conviction, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $10,000. As for the operators or directors of shops with repeated contraventions, they will also be liable for the offence once convicted.