Published: Thursday 15 October 2026
Noisy drivers triggered Kensington and Chelsea’s acoustic cameras almost 1,400 times in August and September – with the loudest vehicle reaching almost 114 decibels, around the volume of a rock concert.
The Council’s nine cameras recorded 1,386 activations between 1 August and 30 September – equivalent to 23 times each day – resulting in 334 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) being issued. The highest noise level recorded was 113.7 decibels.
The cameras help protect residents from excessive noise caused by drivers revving engines or accelerating aggressively.
When triggered, they capture evidence which Council officers can review and use to take enforcement action, meaning nuisance driving can be caught at any time of the day or night.
Cllr Johnny Thalassites, Lead Member for Resident Services, Planning and Enforcement, said:
“Imagine trying to sleep, settle your children or simply relax at home with noise comparable to a rock concert or a chainsaw suddenly erupting outside your window. That gives you some idea of what residents can be subjected to when drivers decide to rev their engines or race through our streets.
“One vehicle was recorded at almost 114 decibels, and our cameras were being triggered around 23 times a day over the summer. These are shocking numbers and they show exactly why we have invested in these cameras.
“They allow us to catch nuisance driving even when an officer isn’t present, and more than 330 fines in two months shows we are acting on the evidence. Our message to drivers is simple – you’ll pay the price if your vehicle unnecessarily disturbs our residents.”
When were the acoustic cameras introduced?
Kensington and Chelsea was the first council in the country to pilot its own acoustic camera technology in 2020, following complaints from residents about noisy vehicles in Sloane Street and Pont Street.
During the initial pilot, the cameras were triggered almost 2,000 times.
How else do we protect our streets?
The technology now works alongside the Council’s wider enforcement against nuisance vehicles.
A borough-wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) prohibits behaviour including engine revving, rapid acceleration, racing and vehicle stunts where they cause a public nuisance. Breaches can result in a £100 FPN.
The latest figures follow further action against nuisance vehicles this summer, including a High Court injunction secured with Westminster City Council and the Metropolitan Police to tackle late-night car meets affecting parts of Kensington and Chelsea.