Weston (Dorset) Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Weston (Dorset) recorded a crime rate of 5.5 per 1,000 residents in September 2024, 28.6% below the UK average of 7.7. This places the area significantly in the safer half of the UK’s crime profile. The most common crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 34.5% of all reported crimes (10 incidents), followed by anti-social behaviour (24.1%) and public order offences (17.2%). Violence and sexual offences in Weston are 27% below the UK average, a striking deviation from national trends. This anomaly may be linked to the area’s character as a relatively low-density built-up area within Dorset, where community cohesion and limited nightlife could contribute to lower violent crime rates. Seasonal factors in September—such as the return to school and university freshers’ week—typically correlate with increased anti-social behaviour and public order issues, yet the area’s overall violent crime rate remains subdued. The crime mix also shows a balance between property and violent crimes, with property crimes (7 incidents) making up 24.1% of the total, compared to 34.5% for violent crimes. This distribution suggests a moderate risk profile for both personal safety and property security, with no single category dominating the monthly report. The lower-than-average violent crime rate, combined with the seasonal context, indicates that local factors such as community policing or demographic characteristics may play a role in shaping this data. However, the absence of additional contextual data means these connections remain speculative, though consistent with the area’s likely rural-urban blend.

September 2024 saw a dramatic 150% increase in public order offences, rising from 2 to 5 incidents. This surge, while significant, remains below the UK average for the category (0.6 per 1,000, 61% above). Concurrently, other theft incidents fell by 75% (from 4 to 1), and burglary dropped by 50% (from 2 to 1), both below the UK average for their respective categories. The crime mix shifted slightly, with violent crimes (34.5% of total) outpacing property crimes (24.1%), a reversal of the previous month’s balance. Anti-social behaviour also decreased by 36.4% (from 11 to 7), though it remains 11% above the UK average (1.2 per 1,000). These fluctuations may reflect seasonal patterns, such as the return to school in September, which could temporarily reduce anti-social behaviour but increase public order issues due to youth activity. Residents might find the 75% drop in other theft incidents particularly noteworthy, as it suggests a reduction in petty crimes like pickpocketing or theft from vehicles, linked to increased community vigilance or local initiatives. The UK comparison data further highlights that while public order offences are significantly above the national average, violent crimes are below, creating a mixed picture of safety that aligns with the area’s likely rural-urban characteristics.

The crime rate in Weston (Dorset) fell by 23.7% from 7.2 per 1,000 in August to 5.5 per 1,000 in September 2024, marking a consistent downward trend over the past two months. On a daily basis, the area recorded approximately 1 crime per day in September, translating to a monthly exposure rate of 1 crime per 183 residents. This figure provides context for local residents, indicating that the likelihood of being directly affected by crime remains low compared to the UK average. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that Weston’s crime rate is significantly lower than the national average, with violent crimes (1.9 per 1,000) and shoplifting (0.4 per 1,000) both well below the UK benchmarks. However, the area’s public order offences (0.9 per 1,000) are 61% above the UK average, suggesting a need for targeted interventions in this category. These figures, when viewed alongside the previous month’s 7.2 per 1,000 rate, illustrate a broader pattern of declining crime that may be influenced by factors such as improved policing, seasonal changes, or community initiatives. The 1-in-183 monthly exposure rate further underscores that residents are statistically less likely to experience crime than the UK average, though the above-average public order offences indicate localized challenges that could be addressed through focused strategies.