Eastbourne residents baffled by mysterious 'bangs'
Eastbourne residents continue to be baffled by a mysterious ‘bang’ occuring at night.
Residents were given a brief respite when the bangs seemed to disappear at the end of March – but they have returned with a vengeance in the past week, occurring later and later each night.
Hundreds have described hearing the sound in Upperton, Meads, Langney, Hampden Park, Sovereign Harbour and Stone Cross – but reports suggest it has been loudest in the Old Town area.
Some residents said they have traced the noise to Gildredge Park.
Doorbell footage from the time of the ‘bangs’ show a flash of light before the noise occurs. Some have reported seeing a small amount of smoke after the noise.
While some residents are convinced it is a firework, others believe the noise is too loud.
Resident April Veness said: “It was really loud! I have no idea what it was though. It sounded loud enough to be a cannon.”
In response to video footage of the ‘bang’, Rob Jones said: “That looked and sounded so dangerous, and could have caused harm to vulnerable people, the elderly, and pets.
"If it was a firework, it sounds like an industrial one, so not good!”
Others suggested the noise could be related to the Coastguard or the RNLI. However, both emergency services previously confirmed they had no taskings during the time of the ‘booms’.
In the past, the RNLI used maroons – a type of rocket which generates a loud bang and a bright flash – to call the crew when the lifeboat needed to be launched. These are no longer used.
Speaking to the Ministry of Defence, this newspaper was told sonic booms could be plausible, but the Government department was unable to provide further detail.
Sussex Police said it had ‘received reports of concern around loud banging noises in Eastbourne’.
A spokesperson for the police force said: “We have been liaising with partners and have no information on the source of the noise.”
Councils can also investigate noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour.
An Eastbourne Borough Council spokesperson said: “We don’t yet know the source of the noise, but we are working with partners to identify it and resolve the issue.”