Stunning seaside town overrun with 'moronic' yobs suffers major blow
Its historic and pleasant town centre has always been a big hit with visitors, but its pièce de résistance has always been it golden sandy beach. Describing the town, the area's official tourist board Visit Dorset said: "Weymouth's sheltered bay, gradual sloping seabed and exquisite waters offer swimmers, bathers and water sports enthusiasts idyllic and safe conditions to suit every taste.
"The internationally recognised beach is a frequent host to festivals, sporting championships and a wide range of events for all to enjoy."
However, after the Environment Agency downgraded the Weymouth's water quality from 'excellent' to 'good' in 2024, the area lost its Blue Flag status, according to the Mirror.
Earlier this year, Matt Bell, chair of Weymouth Town Council's Environment and Services Committee, described the review as 'disappointing'. The council is reportedly working with agencies to tackle its dip in water quality to 'improve the situation'.
Despite being robbed of the accolade, Weymouth Beach was given a Seaside Award - which aims to recognise 'quality and diversity' and focuses more on well-managed, clean beaches as opposed to factors like water quality.
"We are delighted to be awarded the prestigious Seaside Award for another year. Weymouth Beach is such a fantastic resource for our residents," Weymouth Town Council's Town Clerk Jane Biscombe said, according to the BBC.
However, losing its Blue Flag gong isn't the only problem plaguing the region. As previously reported, swathes of business owners and residents claim their home is being ruined by 'moronic' anti-social behaviour, and the constant stink of drugs.
"It's definitely got worse," argues Lee Waugh, 57, a military veteran who has lived in Weymouth since his teenage years. "The levels of the problems seem to be higher. For example, we need tables out the front to showcase our clothes and bring people into the shop, but opportunists steal them. It's a catch 22. It's a problem in town – groups can cause mayhem."
Lee also spoke of the issue of smell, saying that the drugs in the area are now extremely obvious and off-putting due to the infamous smell once lit. "There's a lot of weed – you can smell it," he added. "People don't even hide it through town, they're walking up and down the street with it."
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Janet and David Dye, 67 and 71, are from Basildon, Essex, but frequently visit their son who lives in the town. They too have noticed a decline in the town's reputation, and argue weed is the 'main problem'.
"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," David said. "But a lot of the time they won't, until someone complains that they're drunk."
The Mirror contacted Dorset Police back in April this year to ask what was being done to tackle anti-social behaviour in Weymouth. It pointed to its Safer Street Partnership, an initiative backed by several organisations including Dorset Council Community Safety Team, which tries to not only identify those causing disruption on the streets, but to help rehabilitate them.
"Over the last five years reported anti-social behaviour in the town centre has reduced by over 40 per cent," stated Sam Goom, Inspector for Weymouth and Portland Neighbourhood Policing Team. "The Safer Street Partnership is an integral part of that success.
"Our collaborative effort to tackle street-based ASB has made a huge difference – our partners work extremely hard to find long-term solutions. They are a great bunch, and I am thankful for their continued commitment. There is always more to do but definite progress is being made."
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