Weymouth Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 53,632, Weymouth recorded 506 crimes in September 2024, translating to a crime rate of 9.4 per 1,000 residents. This places the area 22.1% above the UK average of 7.7 per 1,000, a gap that reflects persistent challenges in maintaining safety. The most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (178 cases, 35.2% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (133 cases, 26.3%) and shoplifting (64 cases, 12.7%). These figures align with Weymouth’s character as a coastal resort town with a mix of tourist attractions, residential areas, and high streets. The seasonal context of September—marking the return of students to local universities and the start of the academic term—may partly explain the elevated levels of anti-social behaviour and violence, as social activity intensifies in the town centre and surrounding areas. Shoplifting rates, which surged to 64 cases this month, could be linked to the influx of young people and the increased foot traffic around retail hubs during the transition from summer to autumn. While property crimes accounted for a smaller share (139 total, or 27.5% of all crimes), the dominance of violent and anti-social offences suggests a combination of local demographics and the pressures of seasonal tourism.

September saw sharp increases in shoplifting (+93.9%, from 33 to 64 cases) and drug-related offences (+120%, from 5 to 11 cases). These rises contrast with significant declines in vehicle crime (-78.8%, from 33 to 7 cases) and criminal damage and arson (-67.3%, from 52 to 17 cases). The surge in shoplifting may be tied to the start of the academic term, as students and tourists frequent high-street retailers. Meanwhile, the drop in vehicle crime could reflect reduced summer traffic or improved security measures at car parks. Anti-social behaviour remained high, with 133 cases (26.3% of total crimes) and a UK average of 1.2 per 1,000, making Weymouth 114% above the national average for this category. This disparity highlights the need for targeted interventions in areas with high concentrations of transient populations. Violent crimes, including sexual offences, were also 26% above the UK average, underscoring the importance of policing strategies that address both local and seasonal factors. For residents, the 93.9% increase in shoplifting serves as a concrete reminder to remain vigilant in retail areas during peak hours.

September’s crime rate of 9.4 per 1,000 residents marked a 15.1% decline from August’s rate of 11.1, indicating a downward trend in overall crime. However, this reduction does not fully offset the area’s continued position above the UK average. On a daily basis, Weymouth experienced approximately 17 crimes per day in September, a figure that translates to one reported crime for every 106 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate—while lower than August’s equivalent—still highlights the density of incidents in a relatively small built-up area. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Weymouth’s crime burden is unevenly distributed, with certain categories like anti-social behaviour and violence far outpacing national norms. For instance, the 26.3% share of anti-social behaviour cases in total crimes is starkly higher than the UK’s 1.2 per 1,000 average, suggesting a unique challenge in managing public order in Weymouth’s social spaces. These figures should be contextualised within the town’s role as a tourist destination, where transient populations may contribute to higher rates of disorder and conflict. While the month-on-month decrease offers some optimism, the persistent gap from the UK average underscores the need for sustained efforts to address underlying factors such as social cohesion and resource allocation for policing.