Crime in Weymouth: statistics, rates and trends
5,342 crimes were recorded in Weymouth in the 12 months to July 2026, 99.0 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Weymouth at a glance
- Crime trends in Weymouth
- Types of crime in Weymouth
- Weymouth compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Weymouth
- Streets with the most crime in Weymouth
- What happened after crimes were reported in Weymouth
- Population and deprivation in Weymouth
- Questions about crime in Weymouth
- About this data
5,342 crimes were recorded in Weymouth in the 12 months to July 2026, 99.0 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 5% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,943 reports (36% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Weymouth has the 368th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Weymouth | Dorset | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 5,342 | 20,740 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 99.0 | 53.2 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -5% | -6% | -1% |
| Population | 53,983 | 389,947 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Weymouth was highest in the year to July 2018 (7,562 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (5,342). Over the whole period it fell 29%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 5,342 | 99.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 5,611 | 103.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 5,781 | 107.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 5,602 | 103.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 6,235 | 115.5 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 6,117 | 113.3 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 6,744 | 124.9 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 7,173 | 132.9 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 7,562 | 140.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 623 |
| June 2026 | 497 |
| May 2026 | 499 |
| April 2026 | 475 |
| March 2026 | 447 |
| February 2026 | 325 |
| January 2026 | 362 |
| December 2025 | 423 |
| November 2025 | 370 |
| October 2025 | 425 |
| September 2025 | 389 |
| August 2025 | 507 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Weymouth over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for anti-social behaviour.
The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+25%) and robbery (+24%). The largest falls were in vehicle crime (-38%) and other crime (-37%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,943 | 36.0 | 1.05 | -2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 1,584 | 29.3 | 1.91 | +3% |
| Shoplifting | 459 | 8.5 | 1.03 | -5% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 379 | 7.0 | 1.04 | -5% |
| Public order | 275 | 5.1 | 0.77 | -23% |
| Other theft | 225 | 4.2 | 0.65 | -25% |
| Burglary | 113 | 2.1 | 0.59 | -10% |
| Drugs | 110 | 2.0 | 0.62 | +6% |
| Vehicle crime | 75 | 1.4 | 0.28 | -38% |
| Possession of weapons | 45 | 0.8 | 0.86 | +25% |
| Robbery | 41 | 0.8 | 0.56 | +24% |
| Other crime | 37 | 0.7 | 0.32 | -37% |
| Bicycle theft | 31 | 0.6 | 0.70 | -24% |
| Theft from the person | 25 | 0.5 | 0.27 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Weymouth
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Weymouth recorded 1,943 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (36.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 36.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Weymouth
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Weymouth recorded 1,584 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 3% on the year before. It made up 29.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Weymouth
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Weymouth recorded 459 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 8.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Weymouth
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Weymouth recorded 379 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Weymouth
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Weymouth recorded 275 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Weymouth
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Weymouth recorded 225 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Weymouth
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Weymouth recorded 113 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Weymouth
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Weymouth recorded 110 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Weymouth
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Weymouth recorded 75 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Weymouth
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Weymouth recorded 45 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Weymouth
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Weymouth recorded 41 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Weymouth
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Weymouth recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Weymouth
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Weymouth recorded 31 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 24% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Weymouth
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Weymouth recorded 25 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Weymouth, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Weymouth.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Weymouth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weston (Dorset) | 353 | 64.3 | -35% |
| Dorchester (Dorset) | 1,637 | 72.4 | -27% |
| Wool | 284 | 47.7 | -52% |
| Bridport | 820 | 82.3 | -17% |
| Wareham | 362 | 61.0 | -38% |
| Upton (Dorset) | 364 | 41.5 | -58% |
| Blandford Forum | 762 | 55.2 | -44% |
| Swanage | 459 | 48.8 | -51% |
6 areas within Weymouth, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Melcombe Regis had the highest rate (370.1 per 1,000) and Rodwell & Wyke the lowest (52.4). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melcombe Regis | Neighbourhood | 4,918 | 1,820 | 370.1 |
| Westham | Neighbourhood | 9,688 | 958 | 98.9 |
| Radipole | Neighbourhood | 8,413 | 708 | 84.2 |
| Littlemoor & Preston | Neighbourhood | 11,186 | 630 | 56.3 |
| Upwey & Broadwey | Neighbourhood | 3,775 | 210 | 55.6 |
| Rodwell & Wyke | Neighbourhood | 13,890 | 728 | 52.4 |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Weymouth over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 306 |
| On or near Supermarket | 151 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 143 |
| On or near The Rise | 116 |
| On or near Further/Higher Educational Building | 111 |
| On or near Great George Street | 109 |
| On or near New Street | 104 |
| On or near St Edmund Street | 83 |
| On or near Granby Close | 80 |
| On or near St Nicholas Street | 73 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Weymouth over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Not recorded | 1,584 | 29.7% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 1,437 | 26.9% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 982 | 18.4% |
| Under investigation | 429 | 8.0% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 316 | 5.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 139 | 2.6% |
| Local resolution | 123 | 2.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 103 | 1.9% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 97 | 1.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 65 | 1.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 42 | 0.8% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 14 | 0.3% |
Weymouth has an estimated population of 53,983. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Weymouth sits in decile 5.0, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Weymouth |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 14.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.4% |
| Aged 65 and over | 28.4% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.9% |
| Social rented homes | 13.8% |
| Private rented homes | 20.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.0 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 12.7% |
Is Weymouth a safe place to live?
Weymouth recorded 99.0 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Weymouth?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,943 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (1,584).
Is crime in Weymouth going up or down?
Recorded crime in Weymouth was down 5% on the year before: 5,342 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 5,611 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Weymouth?
Weymouth is policed by Dorset. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Weymouth. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.