WEYMOUTH's night-time streets are turning into a no-go area for women and the elderly afraid of becoming crime victims, a new survey says.

Nearly one in three say they feel unsafe to be out after dark and others are afraid of being at home alone.

The findings come in the third three-yearly Crime and Drugs Audit for the Community, which will be published on October 29, were presented to borough councillors at the community regeneration and culture committee meeting last night. In the survey, researchers discovered hotspots of alcohol-related offences taking place near Weymouth's 15 clubs and bars with late licences, which can hold 5,000 people.

John Chapman, senior research officer for the Western Dorset Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, said: "Crime rates for the Weymouth and Portland area over the last three financial years have not been encouraging.

"There is a link between the night-time economy and violence. Weymouth is a hub for late-night economy in the county and a hotbed for stag nights and hen nights. It is the place to enjoy yourself."

Fear of crime has also risen in the borough with only 69 per cent of people feeling safe to walk at night. Elderly women were the most likely to be afraid of walking in the streets at any time and of being alone at home.

Mr Chapman said: "Fear is heightened with age. Older people and women are far more likely to feel unsafe."

Although Weymouth and Portland is home to a sixth of the county's population, more than a quarter of all recorded crime in Dorset happens there, according to the audit.

Melcome Regis, which includes the town centre and Esplanade, accounts for 43 per cent of the crime and 17 per cent occurs on Portland.

Councillor Peter Farrell, who represents Melcombe Regis, said: "It is not surprising that there is no rural crime - they all come here to get into trouble."

Mr Chapman said some of the statistical increases can be attributed to the National Crime Recording Standard that means police now record incidents that would not have been included in any reports. For example, violent crime rose by 112 per cent, the equivalent of 794 extra offences, but that number was the most likely to be affected by the new system.

"If someone said someone hit them, that is recorded as a crime," explained Mr Chapman. "The police do not have to prove it."

More than a third of the county's alcohol-related offences happened in the borough.

Robbery increased by 50 per cent, or 14 more offences, but drug crime dropped by almost 2 per cent.

Anti-social behaviour was also on the rise with an extra ten per cent, or 459 incidents, reported to the police.

Crimes on homes, such as burglary, were up 26 per cent since 2001, or 63 extra offences, and property crime on other buildings increased by more than 50 per cent.

Although theft from vehicles went up by 6 per cent - 57 extra offences - the number of vehicles being stolen dropped by almost 10 per cent.

Committee chairman Councillor David Harries asked for the completed audit to include a breakdown of crime figures to show the time crimes are committed in the town to help them make decisions about licensing in the town.