Playing loud music, shouting and doing anything to disturb neighbours in the early hours of the morning will soon be considered an offence.

MPs passed a bill on Friday prohibiting people from causing noise pollution or any other disturbance that will warrant complaint between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.

The Summary Offences Amendment Act 2010 was read in the House of Assembly by Junior Justice Minister Michael Scott.

It also allows Police officers to be the complainant in criminal cases which involve noise pollution.

Mr. Scott said anyone without a permit who uses an amplifier, loudspeaker, gramophone or anything else for the "transmission of sound" between those hours and bothers people, commits an offence.

"Additionally, Mr. Speaker, such acts performed between midnight and six o'clock in the morning constitute an offence if the sound in question is heard at a distance exceeding 100 feet from the source of the sound and causes annoyance to two or more persons and the causing of that annoyance is unreasonable in all circumstances of the case," he said.

The Junior Minister said it is important to remember that this amendment does not affect a person's right to operate loudspeakers or a gramophone if they have a permit.

During the debate, Deputy Opposition Leader Trevor Moniz said: "This measure has our full support. I have had people in my own constituency calling me at two in the morning saying 'can't you hear that? Can't you hear that dog barking?'. And then they call the Police.

"It's a frustrating thing. People don't realise these small infringements like noise can add up and make people less patient. The more that can keep behaviours in communities in mediations, the more peaceful the community we can return to."

Shawn Crockwell of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance (BDA) also supported the amendment.

"I rise because this was an issue that I was concerned with. I've gotten calls late at night from constituents and I would hear the music on the phone. Not only weekends. I think this a good piece of legislation."

Opposition MP Pat Gordon-Pamplin said: "I too support the legislation. The answer would be that you invited your neighbour, you really didn't have a problem. But with these new subwoofers and boom boxes, an invitation doesn't matter.

"One of the challenges that we have is the challenge of the time between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. I can tell you that these boys leave home at midnight.

"The parties are starting at midnight and later. Certainly the incidence of noise pollution is something that we have to get a grip with. If we take care of the smaller things, the bigger things will take care of themselves."

Donte Hunt of BDA said: "I welcome this piece of legislation coming to the House. What it tells me is that we're very sensitive about what's going on in our communities and neighbourhoods."