asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the present level of the use of sirens by police, particularly in residential areas in the early hours of the morning; and whether they have proposals to discourage such activity. [HL5169]

No assessment has been made, but the use of sirens by the police and other emergency services is governed by the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. These permit the use of sirens only when an emergency vehicle has to alert other road users that it is present and responding to an urgent incident.

Subject to this requirement, the use of sirens is an operational matter for the police.