Weston (Dorset) Crime Rate

Introduction to Crime in Weston (Dorset)

Weston (Dorset) experiences an overall crime rate of 83.8 per 1,000 residents per year, which is notably lower than the national average of 93.4 per 1,000. This contributes to Weston's robust safety score of 82 out of 100, surpassing the UK average of 78. Over the past year, the crime rate in Weston has remained stable, with a slight decrease of 1.1%. This report delves into detailed crime statistics, offering residents a comprehensive understanding of local safety trends and potential areas for crime prevention.

Crime Breakdown in Weston (Dorset)

An analysis of crime types in Weston (Dorset) reveals that Violence and sexual offences account for the largest proportion, representing 32.4% of all reported crimes, with 144 incidents. Close behind is Anti-social behaviour, making up 31.5% of the total with 140 reported cases. Criminal damage and arson form the third most prevalent category, contributing 12.6% to the overall crime figures, with 56 incidents. These figures highlight a significant focus on crimes related to behaviour and personal safety within the area.

Looking at property-related crime, Weston (Dorset) has a rate of 21.9 per 1,000 residents, which is considerably lower than the UK average of 33.2 per 1,000. This category encompasses a range of offences including burglary (1.1%), shoplifting (6.5%), other theft (4.5%), vehicle crime (0.7%), bicycle theft (0.2%), theft from the person (0.2%), robbery (0.2%), and criminal damage and arson (12.6%). For residents and homeowners, these statistics suggest that while overall property crime is lower than the national average, vigilance regarding general theft and criminal damage remains important. Proactive measures to secure homes and vehicles can further enhance personal and community safety.

Crime Trends in Weston (Dorset)

Weston (Dorset) has experienced a stable crime trend over the last year, with a marginal decrease of 1.1% in overall crime. Analysing the monthly crime rates per 1,000 residents provides further insight into these patterns. In late 2024, the crime rate saw a notable peak in October at 10.4, before declining significantly to a low of 3.8 in December. The early months of 2025 showed some fluctuation, with a rise to 7.9 in January and 10.0 in March, peaking at 10.9 in April. However, the latter half of 2025 generally saw lower figures, with August recording the lowest rate at 3.2 and September at 4.5. This pattern suggests seasonal variations, with higher rates potentially occurring in spring and autumn. For residents, this stable trend with minor fluctuations indicates that the overall safety landscape in Weston has not drastically changed, but awareness of potential seasonal increases in crime could be beneficial for personal security planning.

Crime Time Patterns in Weston (Dorset)

Crime in Weston (Dorset) exhibits distinct patterns throughout the 24-hour cycle. During the morning hours (6am-12pm), 'Other' crime types, which encompass categories like violence and anti-social behaviour, are most prevalent at 56%, alongside a significant 37% of theft-related offences. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) sees theft slightly increase to 41%, while 'Other' crimes remain high at 50%. As the evening progresses (6pm-12am), 'Other' crime types become overwhelmingly dominant, accounting for 77% of incidents, with theft dropping to 14%. Into the night (12am-6am), 'Other' crimes still represent the majority at 72%, but burglary (10%), theft (10%), and vehicle crime (9%) show a more notable presence compared to daytime hours. This suggests that while general disturbances are consistent, property-related offences are more likely under the cover of darkness.

Crime Comparison with Nearby Areas

When evaluating crime statistics in Weston (Dorset), it is helpful to consider the context of neighbouring areas. Weston’s overall crime rate of 83.8 per 1,000 residents and property crime rate of 21.9 per 1,000, alongside a safety score of 82/100, provide a benchmark for comparison. Looking at Grove (Dorset), while specific figures are not detailed here, it forms part of the local community context. Southwell (Dorset) presents a notably lower overall crime rate of 36.0 per 1,000 and a much lower property crime rate of 5.3 per 1,000, with a higher safety score of 89/100, suggesting it is a comparatively safer area. Fortuneswell has an overall crime rate of 74.7 per 1,000 and a property crime rate of 16.3 per 1,000, with a safety score of 81/100, indicating a lower overall and property crime rate than Weston, but a similar safety perception. Chickerell, with an overall crime rate of 50.7 per 1,000 and a property crime rate of 16.1 per 1,000, and a safety score of 88/100, also experiences significantly less crime overall and lower property-related offences, and is perceived as safer. This regional overview helps residents understand Weston's position within the local safety landscape.

Enhancing Home Security in Weston (Dorset)

Given Weston (Dorset)'s property crime rate of 21.9 per 1,000 residents, which is lower than the national average, it remains crucial for homeowners to consider robust security measures. While traditional CCTV systems merely record incidents after they occur, an advanced approach focuses on crime prevention at your property's boundary. Rather than simply documenting a burglary, consider systems that actively deter potential threats before they escalate.

Modern security solutions, such as AI-powered home security operating systems like scOS, offer proactive protection. These systems utilise multi-camera intelligence to monitor your entire property simultaneously, learning routines to distinguish between family, deliveries, and genuine threats. Features like DVLA vehicle verification can instantly flag suspicious vehicles. By detecting and engaging threats at the property line with autonomous responses like activating lights and speakers, scOS destroys the element of surprise that burglars rely on. This professional-grade deterrence signals serious protection, making burglars decide within 60 seconds to move on, unlike reactive systems that only alert you after the fact. Investing in such proactive security ensures real protection, shifting the focus from recording crime to preventing it entirely.