Hyde Park residents on living in a student hotspot with late-night parties

Residents spoke of spoke of loud music, noise and intimidation

Hyde Park residents have spoken about living in a student hotspot.

Leeds students have returned to the city with the arrival of the new term and fresher’s week underway in recent weeks. Residents spoke about their varying experiences, some citing loud music, noise and intimidation – with one saying a neighbour was filmed and shamed online for confronting later night revellers.

Student Thomas Orton, from London, has been living in Hyde Park over the summer months and says the contrast without students is stark. When fresher’s week arrived, there was a lot more noise at nighttime.

The University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University have said they take action against any students who fall below the expected standards and implore them to respect the community.

International Relations student Thomas said: “I was awake for one hour trying to sleep last night just because of the noise, compared to before where there was almost nothing and I could sleep straight away. Just students making noise, shouting. I think it’s partially just freshers week which pushes people to it. It’s kind of house party music.”

Cleaner Sybil Beckford has lived in the area for 43 years since 1983. The gran-of-one raised four children in the area. Sybil has said each year is a lottery depending on how respectful her student neighbours will be.

Recalling unpleasant memories, Sybil said: “The ones before were shocking. They were miserable and making noise and everything. You could hear them going up the stairs, banging. They played music loud and I’d have to go there and tell them, ‘It’s not just you living here!’ They were dancing all night.”

Married couple Simon and Cathy have lived in Hyde Park since 2000. They were former students who fell in love with the city. Speaking about their student-neighbours, Simon said: “One year it will be a party house. Other years, not such a party house.

Cathy added: “Sometimes it can be bad and other times they’re fine. It really depends on the individual students. The landlords really don’t take responsibility for it. I think it came to a head and they put quieter people in there.

Cathy would never dare confront students after one of her neighbours were filmed and shamed online. She said: “Our neighbours were very upset by some students. It all went over social media in our road, they had speakers in the garden at midnight, facing out. Our neighbour went to them and then she went viral. I would never go out there, I’m not as brave as her.”

Film sound designer Alex Mullet, 22, has recently moved into the area. On her first impressions, she said: “It’s a busy area with lots of people but I think it’s fine. I would say there’s a lot more students here, around the park, especially. It’s quite lively. There’s a lot of events going on in the area and by the park.”

The University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University issued a joint statement, which said: “We continue to work closely with partners, including the council, West Yorkshire Police, residents and local businesses, to support safe and respectful neighbourhoods.

“As well as funding a dedicated noise nuisance service for inner-north west Leeds, we have reduced the impact on local communities during events which often cause friction, including the annual ‘changeover’, when thousands of housing contracts end on the same day.

“The message to our students is always very clear – enjoy everything your community and the city have to offer, but do so responsibly. Respect for neighbours and local communities is an important part of being a member of the student community, and we take action against any students who fall below the expected standards.”