FEBRUARY 2020 OVERVIEW
– Up 49% overall
– Harare reported incidents doubled
– Armed robbery incidents up three-fold over the last 2 months.
– Msasa and Southerton in Harare heavily targeted
–
As has been the trend, suspects are increasingly targeting vehicles for both fuel and batteries. These are in high demand for the illicit market.
Internal theft is on the increase as staff look to supplement incomes, with controls internally become less certain without a financial benchmark.
NATIONWIDE AND HARARE CRIME STATS
CRIME BREAKDOWN BY MONTH
HIGH-RISK AREAS
TARGETS
– Cash
Cash, specifically foreign currency, remains the most common target. Individuals that possess and carry large amounts of foreign currency remain the most vulnerable to armed robbery incidents. Not only is the money at risk, but the physical well-being of families and employees. Criminals are not hesitant to use physical violence during armed robbery incidents.
Almost all serious cash losses have inside information, so screen staff that works in these areas.
– Fuel
With a booming illicit fuel market, fuel from generators and vehicles has been a target.
– Batteries
Vehicles and remote facilities are the most common targets. There are frequent reports of batteries stolen from transport yards. These areas often congested, with poor perimeter security and batteries relatively easy to remove
– Food
Cooking oil, rice, sugar, mealie meal and toiletries such as lotion and bathing soap is in demand on the black market. Control in these areas important
– Old or Unused Electrical Equipment/Appliances
As local conditions deteriorate, we see more opportunistic crime emerging. The theft of old, unused or infrequently used equipment to generate funds will increase.
COMMON ACCESS POINTS
Low or unprotected walls are the most commonly used access point. In some cases with electric wall top, but fence not turned on.
In the shopping centers, the glass front doors. Many commercial center premises are inadequately secured. Better physical barriers needed to delay /deter entry
FOLLOW HOME ROBBERY
We have recorded a few recent Follow-home robberies after a quieter spell – unsuspecting drivers blocked in as they either enter/exit their residence. Remember to be alert as you move around. Do not be trapped at the gate- always look behind you before you turn in. If unsure just drive to the nearest secure area. Keep your Panic App on so you can call for assistance easily. If late and by yourself call the response team /security team to meet you at the gate
LOOKING AHEAD
With 5000 prisoners due for release on amnesty, and no immediate sign of an arrest in inflation, we are likely to see a rise in crime in the month ahead
The advertised City Council Valuations in Harare is a cause for concern for many. Close inspection, verification, and recording of identity particulars before entry is important.
If you would like to walk through your security at home or business or have any questions related to this report please do not hesitate to contact us
Thank you for using Safeguard
The Safeguard Team
(Visit www.safeguard.co.zw for full area statistics and general security advice)
FEBRUARY 2020 INCIDENT SUMMARIES
LIST
HARARE:
17 February 2020, Armed Robbery, Commercial Site, Tilcor Road, Chitungwiza:
An unknown number of armed suspects arrived on site, disarmed the internal guard and proceeded to assault one (1) of the employees. The suspects took the guard’s firearm and an undisclosed amount of money and fled the scene. The complainant sustained serious injuries and is currently in a coma.
05 February 2020, Armed Robbery, Shopping Centre, Unnamed Street, Chitungwiza:
Six (6) suspects armed with firearms, accosted some foreign currency dealers before robbing them of an undisclosed amount of money and a vehicle. One (1) of the suspects sustained injuries from the assault.
27 February 2020, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Durham Road, Avondale West:
Two (2) suspects armed with pistols, jumped over the durawall, forced their way into the dining room and physically assaulted the complainants before locking them in a bedroom. The suspects ransacked the house and took money and jewellery from the premises.
02 January 2020, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, 10 Pembroke Road, Emerald Hill:
An unknown number of intruders committed an armed robbery at the site. We are yet to receive more information as the investigation is still ongoing. Patrol team dispatched.
03 February 2020, Armed Robbery, Industrial Site, Shepperton Road, Graniteside:
Three (3) suspects, armed with firearms, forced their way onto the premises, held up the complainants and stole an undisclosed amount of money and business equipment from the premises.
05 February 2020, Armed Robbery, Industrial Site, Cam Road, Graniteside:
An unknown number of armed suspects forced their way onto the property, held up the complainants and stole an undisclosed amount from the premises.
05 February 2020, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Boscobel East Drive, Highlands:
An unknown number of suspects forced their way onto the premises and entered the house. The suspects removed an undisclosed amount of money from the safe and fled the scene when the residents responded to the noise.
02 February 2020, Armed Robbery, Commercial Site, Harrow Road, Msasa:
An undisclosed number of armed suspects arrived on site, held up the complainants and used grinders to open two (2) safes. The suspects removed an undisclosed amount of money from the safes, and removed a two way radio and cellphones from the complainants.
11 February 2020, Armed Robbery, Industrial Site, Loreley Close, Msasa:
An unknown number of suspects arrived on site, removed the durawall panels and gained access onto the premises. The suspects accosted and tied up the guard before removing money from his possession. The suspects proceeded to the main building and entered it using a set of keys. The suspects broke through the safe room and training room before cutting the alarm sensors. The suspects did not manage to remove anything from the premises as the response team arrived on site. Two (2) shots were fired during the incident (as the suspects fled the scene) but no injuries were reported.
20 February 2020, Common Robbery, Residential Site, Sugar Bush Road, Westgate:
Two (2) suspects jumped over the durawall and proceeded to the domestic quarters. The suspects tied up the domestic help and remove money, two (2) blankets, clothing, two (2) cellphones and car parts.
04 February 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Churchill Avenue, Alexandra Park:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall and entered the building on site by breaking through the window. The suspects took an undisclosed amount of property from the site and fled the scene.
20 February 2020, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, 3rd Street, Avenues:
One (1) suspect arrived on site, broke the French glass door and attempted to enter the canteen. The alarm activated causing the suspect to leave the scene empty-handed.
20 February 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Street, Avondale:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the palisade bars and removed a battery from the premises.
23 February 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Samora Machel Avenue, Belvedere:
Three (3) suspects arrived on site, forced open the palisade bars and drained diesel from a generator on site. The suspects are believed to be have been driving a vehicle of an undisclosed make, registration and colour.
06 February 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Mull Road, Belvedere:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall, forced open the front door and took tablets and laptops from the premises.
18 February 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, City Centre:
Approximately seven (7) suspects arrived on site, used a duplicated key to open the screen door and broke the main entrance door. The suspects removed a safe from the premises and fled the scene in a black Toyota Wish, with an undisclosed registration number.
06 February 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Leopold Takawira and Bank Street, City Centre:
Five (5) suspects arrived on site, accosted the guard and used a duplicated key to open the screen door and removed an undisclosed amount of property from the premises. The response team arrived on site and managed to arrest one (1) suspect whilst the other four (4) suspects fled in a silver/grey Nissan X-Trail with no registration plates.
25 February 2020, Break-In, Commercial Site, Edison Crescent, Graniteside:
An unknown number of intruders forced open the screen door, the main entrance sliding door as well as an inside door in order to gain entry into the shop. The intruders stole some batteries and oil. The matter was reported to the police.
06 February 2020, Attempted Break-In, Residential Site, Tumbleweed Road, Greystone Park:
An unknown number of intruders broke the window as well as the burglar bar of one of the bedrooms, but did not manage to gain entry into the house. Nothing was stolen.
25 February 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Beatrice Road, Harare South:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the palisade bars, twisted the generator camera before removing four (4) batteries from the premises.
20 February 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Machipisa, Highfield:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the palisade bars and stole and an undisclosed amount of fuel from the premises.
17 February 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Ardbennie Road, Ardbennie:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the main entrance, cut the cable and removed a television from the premises.
05 February 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Duick Close, Msasa:
Two (2) suspects jumped over the durawall and removed two (2) batteries from the vehicles parked on site.
24 February 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Muonde Road, Ruwa:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall, broke the storeroom window, damaged the burglar bars and removed an undisclosed amount of property from the premises.
06 February 2020, Break-In, Residential Site, Madokero Estates, Tynwald North:
An unknown number of intruders cut all the strands of the electric fence from the back of the yard in order to gain entry. The intruders twisted all the cameras inside the yard, force-opened the windows, attempted to force-open the doors and stole an iPhone through the window. The matter was reported to the police.
24 February 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Eaglesville, Willowvale:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the palisade bars broke the locks for the onsite building and removed an undisclosed amount of fuel from the premises.
12 February 2020, Intruder, Residential Site, Tyrell Road, Arcadia:
The complainant requested the response team as he believed an unknown number of suspects had gained access onto the premises. No losses or damage to property reported.
04 February 2020, Intruder, Commercial Site, Baines Avenue, Avenues:
One (1) suspect was apprehended after being found hiding onsite in a bathroom.
14 February 2020, Intruders/Suspicious Persons, Commercial Site, Hillside Road, Msasa:
Two (2) males and one (1) female arrived on-site and stated that they were ZRP officers making a follow-up on stolen copper cables. The suspects showed the complainants ZRP ID cards and when the complainants stated that they needed to verify the individuals’ identity at a police station with the assistance of the response team, the suspects fled the scene.
17 February 2020, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Mutema Road, New Zengeza 5:
One (1) suspect was apprehended on site after attempting to leave the premises with five (5) rolls of concealed shrink wrap paper.
05 February 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Basset Crescent, Alexandra Park:
An unknown number of suspects stole an undisclosed amount of snacks and money from the premises.
14 February 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Milnerton Crescent, Arcadia:
One (1) suspect gained access onto the premises by jumping over the durawall and removed a water pump. A resident heard a noise and saw the suspect approaching a vehicle and raised alarm causing the suspect to flee the scene.
14 February 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, St Georges Street, Ardbennie:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and removed an undisclosed amount of miniature circuit breakers from the site.
24 February 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, St Georges Street, Ardbennie:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises via an undisclosed access point and removed central processing unit (CPU) from the site.
25 February 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Spurn Road, Ardbennie:
Two (2) employees were apprehended after stealing fifteen (15) litres of cooking oil from the premises.
27 February 2020, Theft, Residential Site, Staley Road, Ballantyne Park:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises via an undisclosed access point and removed an undisclosed amount of alcohol from the premises.
24 February 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Braywick Lane, Ballantyne Park:
One (1) employee was apprehended after removing an undisclosed amount of fuel from the premises.
28 February 2020, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Kelvin Close, Graniteside:
One (1) employee was apprehended after attempting to steal diesel from the premises.
19 February 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Cripps Road, Graniteside:
A Bluetooth device was reported stolen on-site, no signs of forced entry reported.
20 February 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Cripps Road, Graniteside:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and removed an undisclosed amount of chairs from the site. No signs of forced entry reported.
11 February 2020, Theft, Residential Site, Elliot Close, Greendale:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall and removed a battery and two (2) twenty-five litre fuel tanks from the premises.
18 February 2020, Attempted Theft, Residential Site, Pringle Road, Mandara:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall and used a key to open a storeroom. The suspects attempted to remove a 50kg bag of fertilizer from the premises but failed to carry it off the premises. The bag was abandoned in the garden.
26 February 2020, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Williams Way, Msasa:
Security on-site apprehended two (2) suspects who had thrown two (2) bags of iron cut-offs outside the premises.
28 February 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Chiremba Road, Queensdale:
An unknown number of suspects accessed the premises and removed an undisclosed amount of fuel from the premises.
18 February 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Dema, Seke:
An unknown number of suspects removed batteries from the premises. No signs of forced entry were reported.
14 February 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Auckland Road, Southerton:
An unknown number of suspects removed an undisclosed amount of bread from the premises.
15 February 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Highfield Road, Southerton:
CCTV playback revealed that a suspect had removed 24 x 500grams of milk from the premises. The contents were put in a bucket taken out of the building through the emergency door.
18 February 2020, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Highfield Road, Southerton:
Two (2) employees were apprehended after being found in possession of food taken from the site canteen.
19 February 2020, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Affirmative Way, Willowvale:
Security apprehended one (1) employee after he was found in possession of a concealed tool removed from the premises.
08 February 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Coventry Road, Workington:
Two (2) employees were apprehended after they stole an undisclosed amount of flour from the premises.
18 February 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Coventry Road, Workington:
It is suspected that an employee stole two (2) window frames and three (3) litres of paint from the premises.
16 February 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Simon Mazorodze, Workington:
Two (2) men arrived on-site and removed a metal drum from the premises.
25 February 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Retail Site, Enterprise Road, Chisipite:
An unknown number of suspects approached a vehicle parked on-site, smashed open a window and removed a laptop from the vehicle.
20 February 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Commercial Site, Edison Crescent, Graniteside:
An unknown number of suspects approached a vehicle parked on-site, smashed open a window and removed a handbag from the vehicle.
26 February 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Residential Site, Wiltshire Road, Greendale:
An unknown number of suspects approached two (2) vehicles parked on-site, smashed open the windows and removed batteries and wheels from the vehicles.
10 February 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Residential Site, Rhodesville Avenue, Greendale:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall, approached the vehicles parked on-site, smashed open one (1) of the vehicle windows and removed a vehicle battery and infant shoes, whilst the other vehicle which wasn’t locked had its battery removed.
23 February 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Commercial Site, Hillside Road, Msasa:
An unknown number of suspects stole two (2) car batteries from a truck which was parked on the premises.
14 February 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Commercial Site, Martin Drive, Msasa:
An unknown number of suspects approached a vehicle parked on-site and removed and stole two (2) vehicle batteries.
09 February 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Industrial Site, Woodlands Road, Msasa:
An unknown number of suspects approached a truck parked on-site and started siphoning diesel from the vehicle. The driver heard the noise and the suspects fled the scene with approximately 300 litres.
05 February 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Industrial Site, Buick Close, Msasa:
An unknown number of suspects approached a vehicle parked on-site and removed two (2) batteries from trucks parked on site.
18 February 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Leisure, Norfolk Road, Mount Pleasant:
An unknown number of suspects approached the vehicle, which had not been locked and removed a bag from the vehicle.
12 February 2020, Attempted Theft from Vehicle, Industrial Site, Unnamed Street, Mukuvisi:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall and attempted to remove batteries from a vehicle parked on site. Alert guards saw the suspects, and the suspects fled the scene.
04 February 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Industrial Site, Highfield Road, Southerton:
An unknown number of suspects approached three (3) vehicles parked on-site and removed the batteries.
15 February 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Retail Site, Sunningdale:
An unknown number of suspects approached a vehicle parked on-site, smashed open the windows and removed a cellphone from the vehicle.
03 February 2020, Attempted Theft from Vehicle, Commercial Site, Coventry Road, Workington:
One (1) suspect entered the premises and attempted to remove a battery from a vehicle parked on site. Security responded to noise made by the suspects and the suspect fled the scene.
05 February 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Commercial Site, Douglas Road, Workington:
A suspect approached a vehicle that was parked outside the premises and removed a vehicle battery from the vehicle.
07 February 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Industrial Site, Motherwell Road, Workington:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall, approached a vehicle parked on-site and removed the battery.
MATABELELAND
25 February 2020, Armed Robbery, Commercial Site, Bon Acco Road, Thorngrove:
An unknown number of armed suspects jumped over the durawall, held up and assaulted the guard with an iron bar and forced their way into the building. The suspects removed an undisclosed amount of laptops and various valuables.
29 February 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Airport Road, Airport:
An unknown number of suspects cut through the fence and removed 400litres of diesel from the site.
01 February 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Cormorant Road, Burnside:
An alarm activation was received after an unknown number of suspects attempted to open a window on site.
02 February 2020, Attempted Break-in, Lobengula and 5th Avenue, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects arrived on-site, smashed through the front glass door but did not manage to remove any property from the site, due to an alarm activation.
23 February 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Ullswater Drive, Morningside:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and stoned one (1) of the windows. No losses were reported.
04 February 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Pumula:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall and forced their way into the house. The suspects stole a uniform and money from the premises and fled the scene.
02 February 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Duncan Road, Suburbs:
The response team responded to an alarm activation and discovered that suspects had entered the premises via an open window and cut the alarm keypad.
03 February 2020, Intruder, Residential Site, Kerry Road, Hillside:
The response team responded to an alarm raised on site. The residents reported that there were intruders on the premises. No signs of forced entry or losses were reported.
18 February 2020, Intruder, Mine, Unnamed Road, Inyati:
Security apprehended a suspect that was seen jumping into the premises.
20 February 2020, Intruder, Retail Site, Northend:
The response team responded to an alarm activation on-site and apprehended a suspect who was found loitering on site.
22 February 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Plumtree Road, Belmont:
CCTV footage revealed that a customer arrived on-site, bought some goods and left the premises with a shopping basket.
21 February 2020, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Basch Street, Steeldale:
One (1) contractor was apprehended after attempting to remove nine empty 50kg bags from the premises. The bags were found concealed in the contractor’s vehicle.
01 February 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Commercial Site, Livingstone Road, Suburbs:
One (1) suspect approached a vehicle parked on site. The vehicle had been left unlocked and the suspect removed a laptop from the vehicle. An alert guard saw the suspect in the vehicle and raised alarm. The suspect exited the vehicle, jumped into a getaway vehicle and fled the scene.
MANICALAND
02 February 2020, Intruder, Commercial Site, Cardiff Road, Muneni:
The response team responded to an alarm raised on site. The complainant believed intruders were on the premises. It is believed the suspects had fled the scene when the response team arrived.
29 February 2020, Intruder, Residential Site, Jason Moyo, Murambi:
The response team responded to an alarm activation and found two (2) kitchen windows and one (1) office window open on-site. No losses reported.
29 February 2020, Intruder, Residential Site, Gukurahundi Avenue, Murambi:
The response team responded to an alarm activation and discovered that the fence had been cut, no losses were reported.
05 February 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Herbert Chitepo Avenue, City Centre:
One (1) employee was apprehended after it was discovered that client accounts were not being cleared. The employee was depositing money into his personal account whenever clients made payments.
01 February 2020, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Murambinda:
An alert guard discovered five (5) litres of diesel hidden on the premises. The diesel was returned to the client
14 February 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Durban Road, Nyakamete:
An electric motor was removed from a moulding machine that was not in use on-site. No signs of forced entry were reported.
09 February 2020, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Unnamed Road, Nyakamete:
An alert guard raised alarm after noticing that 19 cases of alcohol had been removed from the site. The guards saw two (2) suspects fleeing the scene, gave chase and managed to recover alcohol, a machete and a spanner.
18 February 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Commercial Site, Park Road, Nyakamete:
An employee was caught on CCTV removing 24 deep cycle batteries, and packing them into a pallet on site. The pallet was loaded onto a private vehicle which left the premises. The batteries were recovered at the employee’s residence along with seven (7) 50kg sacks of rice. The employee was arrested along with other suspected accomplices who had already taken some of the batteries from the employee.
MASVINGO
26 February 2020, Armed Robbery, Public Location, Unnamed Road, Mucheke:
Four (4) suspects armed with firearms, approached and accosted the male complainant. The suspects held the complainant at gunpoint and took two (2) cellphones and money from the complainant before fleeing the scene. Two (2) of the suspects have since been arrested.
27 February 2020, Theft, Industrial Area, Mineral Road, Industry:
An unknown number of suspects arrived on-site and stole six (6) 50kg bundles of barbed wire.
MASHONALAND WEST
25 February 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Unnamed Road, Mount Hampden:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and removed two (2) vehicle batteries from the premises.