Frustration over noise and shouting from new prison

"There's a few of our friends who do not understand why we would want to live here with the noise and aggressive shouting," says Mick Calter.

Mr Calter and his wife Marie have lived in Knightsbridge Road in Glen Parva, Leicestershire, for 24 years and described the area as once being "peaceful and quiet".

But the couple and other residents say that changed in May 2023 when HMP Fosse Way opened, leading to complaints of loud music, prisoners shouting and noise from an extractor fan soon after.

Serco, which operates the prison on the site of the former Glen Parva young offenders institution, said it had implemented "a number of measures" to tackle the issue.

In December 2022, plans were approved for an additional four-storey block to be built on the site to allow the prison to accommodate an extra 250 inmates.

The Calters' home backs on to the category C prison, where there was a "steady rise" in violence in the 12 months prior to an inspection in March, according to a recent report.

"Sometimes when you have got friends around, and it kicks off at the prison, it can be quite embarrassing," said Mr Calter.

The 68-year-old told the BBC a noisy extractor fan at the prison could "come on at any time and run for a full hour".

Sometimes, he added, it was "just impossible to sleep", describing the noise as "very invasive".

Warren Sim is self-employed and works at his home in Westleigh Road, where he has lived for the last seven years with his wife Kris.

The 56-year-old said: "I constantly get interruptions from what is coming from behind.

"The music content should not be distributed over the whole neighbourhood. I do not know what the restrictions in this facility achieve.

"We are only here for a short period of time. Do not infect us with that noise. We have put so much effort into this home, and this makes us feel worthless."

Reports of shouting from inmates and loud music, some of which includes explicit language, have been passed on to both Serco and Blaby District Council.

The prison operator said it had met with the authority to try to resolve the problem.

A spokesperson added: "We have implemented a number of measures to reduce the noise of extractor fans and loud music, and we remain committed to working with the local community to find suitable resolutions where possible."

Blaby District Council told the BBC it took complaints about noise and nuisance seriously.

A spokesperson added: "We have been working closely with prison operators Serco to advise them on ways they can manage noise issues to reduce any impact on local residents.

"If people are experiencing issues then please contact our environmental health department as both ourselves and Serco are keen to ensure any disturbance from the site is kept to a minimum."

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