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Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Daily Record
Stunning seaside town overrun with 'moronic' yobs suffers major blow
One of the UK's most iconic seaside resorts has been hit with a major blow after being stripped of a prestigious title. Weymouth Bay, a stunning three-mile beach, situated in the heart of the Jurassic Coast, is a popular tourist destination, attracting around two million tourist each year. 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." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 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."
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
UK seaside resort plagued with yobs suffers major blow over 'stunning' beach
A famous UK seaside resort grappling with anti-social behaviour and constant smells of drugs has seen its high-acclaimed beach lose out on a prestigious award this year The faultless reputation of one of the UK's most iconic seaside resorts has taken a tumble after its three-mile beach was stripped of a prestigious award. Situated in the heart of the Jurassic Coast, and surrounded by lush Dorset countryside - Weymouth attracts a staggering two million day trippers every single year. Steeped in history and boasting a charming town centre, the resort's pièce de résistance has often been its golden sand beach. "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," hailed Visit Dorset, the area's official tourist board. "The internationally recognised beach is a frequent host to festivals, sporting championships and a wide range of events for all to enjoy." Weymouth Central Beach, which has often been regarded as one of the best slices of coast in Europe, was even frequented by King George III in the late 1700s. But, after its water quality was downgraded from 'excellent' to 'good' by the Environment Agency at the end of 2024, Weymouth has waved goodbye to its Blue Flag status. 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." 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."
BBC News
14-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Rubbish cleared from Weymouth nature reserve Radipole Lake
A build-up of litter, including discarded bottles, cans and clothing, has been removed from a lake at a nature rubbish, floating in Radipole Lake Nature Reserve in Weymouth was cleared by Dorset Council rangers and volunteers from Weymouth & Portland Marine Litter Project CIC.A designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the 83 hectare (205 acre) reserve is home to a range of wildlife including swans, kingfishers, otters and water council said it was working with several organisations "to try and make sure litter here is not such an issue... but sadly it does seem to build-up very quickly." Other items pulled from the water included a road sign, a highways barrier and a baby's dummy."Stuff that definitely shouldn't be in such a beautiful lake," the council Democrat councillor Matt Bell has been campaigning for improvements at the lake over the last couple of town councillor for the Lodmoor ward has created a petition calling for the silt at the lake to be dredged and a number of longer-term works to be put in place to prevent a nearby park and car park from repeat Bell said any upkeep work, including dredging , had to be agreed between Dorset Council, the Environment Agency, Natural England and the RSPB, which is a tenant at the added: "There is a desire to see this treasured part of our town rejuvenated amongst the community and key stakeholders. "I will continue to push for improvements." The issues at Radipole Lake are set to be discussed at a Weymouth Town Council meeting on 25 June.A further clean-up at the reserve has been planned for 25 May. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
