Weymouth Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Weymouth's crime rate in May 2024 stood at 10.5 per 1,000 residents, placing it 25% above the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This marked deviation from national trends is most evident in the category of violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 34.8% of all crimes reported — a rate of 3.7 per 1,000, 30% higher than the UK average. Anti-social behaviour also emerged as a striking outlier, contributing 33.9% of crimes at 3.6 per 1,000, 148% above the UK figure. These two categories alone represented 68.7% of all reported crimes, underscoring a pattern of interpersonal conflict and public disorder that contrasts with the lower rates of property crimes. The seasonal context of May, with its extended evenings and bank holidays, likely contributed to increased socialising in public spaces, potentially amplifying incidents of anti-social behaviour and violence. While property crimes such as shoplifting and public order offences remained above UK averages, they were comparatively lower in share than violent crimes. This suggests a shift in the crime profile of Weymouth, with a greater proportion of crimes involving direct human interaction rather than theft or damage to property. The town's character as a coastal resort with a mix of residential and tourist areas may explain this dynamic, as summer approaches and outdoor activity increases.

May 2024 saw sharp increases in possession of weapons, with incidents rising 500% from one to six, and bicycle theft jumping 150% from two to five. These spikes occurred alongside a 90.5% increase in public order offences, which rose from 21 to 40. The surge in public order crimes aligns with May's longer evenings and bank holidays, which may have encouraged more outdoor drinking and socialising in public spaces. Conversely, robbery rates fell 75% from four to one, and vehicle crime dropped 70% from 10 to three, reflecting reduced foot traffic during May's quieter periods compared to peak tourist seasons. Anti-social behaviour remains 148% above the UK average, a figure that would be particularly concerning for local residents. The data also reveals that Weymouth's rate of criminal damage and arson is 3% below the UK average, suggesting that while some forms of property crime are elevated, others remain in line with or below national trends. For residents, the most immediate concern appears to be the sharp rise in weapons possession, which may indicate a need for targeted policing in areas where such incidents are concentrated.

Weymouth's crime rate in May 2024 increased by 25.4% compared to the previous month, when the rate stood at 8.4 per 1,000. This rise translates to roughly 18 crimes reported per day in the built-up area, a figure that, while lower than the national average of 10.3 crimes per day in similar areas, reflects a significant month-on-month increase. Over the course of May, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 95 residents — a monthly exposure rate that, while not extreme, highlights the frequency of incidents in a community of 53,632 people. When compared to the UK average, Weymouth's population-scaled crime rate is higher, with the town's violent crime rate alone 30% above national levels. This disparity is most pronounced in anti-social behaviour, which is 148% above the UK average, suggesting a unique challenge in managing public order. The previous month's rate of 8.4 per 1,000 provides a useful benchmark, showing that the 25.4% increase was not a gradual shift but a marked departure from recent trends. While daily crime counts are a local metric with no direct UK comparison, the 1-in-95 resident figure offers a tangible sense of the monthly risk faced by Weymouth residents. This comparison underscores the need for targeted interventions in areas where anti-social behaviour and violence are concentrated, even as other crime categories remain in line with or below national averages.