A popular UK seaside resort that welcomes millions of day-trippers each year has suffered a series of blows after losing a prestigious award following a spate of anti-social behaviour. Weymouth is known for its stunning Jurassic coastline, with its long sandy beaches hemmed by sprawling countryside in the middle of rural Dorset, making it a popular choice for tourists looking for a dose of sunshine against a picturesque and historic backdrop. A major attraction for the two million visitors it attracts on an annual basis is the seaside town’s golden sand beach, which was internationally recognised as of Blue Flag status – essentially a badge of excellence – until this year.
Weymouth’s central beach is just one part of the region with a rich history and was reportedly a favourite retreat of King George III in the 18th century, but it lost its global recognition as a top sunbathing and swimming spot after its water quality was downgranded from “excellent” to “good” last year. The new status follows reports that the seaside town had been hit by a plague of “yobs” causing chaos in the resort and driving away holidaymakers.
57-year-old military veteran Lee Waugh, who has lived in Weymouth since he was a teenager, said earlier this year that anti-social behaviour was firmly on the rise, mainly involving shoplifting and blatant public drug use.
“It’s the pack mentality with groups, just yobs who are only young,” he suggested. “My mate got beaten up and had to go to hospital. There is a lot of poverty, and if it starts to show in the town, with the anti-social behaviour in with it, [Weymouth could] be an unpleasant place to come.”
Retired manual labourer David added: “If you are drinking a bottle of beer in the street, the police should stop you and tell you to tip it out – that’s supposed to be the law.
“But a lot of the time, they won’t until someone complains that they’re drunk. But weed is the main problem, and the authorities shouldn’t let everyone do it.”
Weymouth Town Council said it was “extremely disappointed” by the reduced status of the beach’s water quality and committed to working with the Environment Agency and Wessex Water to “tackle the cause of the lower rating and work to improve the situation”.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan told the Dorset Echo: “Dorset remains a safe place to live and visit.
“Our collective efforts have seen reported anti-social behaviour reduce by six % last year compared to the previous year and a huge 40 % since 2021 thanks to a range of partnership operations and initiatives.
”Anyone who continues to come to notice will be considered for further action, such as community protection notices and criminal behaviour orders.”
