MARCH REVIEW AND THE WEEKS AHEAD
Crime continued on a general upwards swing across the country for March, but fewer armed robberies. Cash, Fuel, and Batteries remain the significant targets. With the lock-down, we have seen a big fall in the number of incidents this past week. A rash of intruders in the Kensington and Strathaven areas in Harare, and Kwekwe CBD this past few days is a reminder though that we all need to remain vigilant.
The lockdown will bring great hardship for all, and as we emerge from it, we will probably experience a surge in crime. Use this quiet period at home to review your security. We have scaled down in many areas to reduce our footprint and movement, but all response, emergency services, and critical guarding remain fully manned and on call to assist.
Thank you all for working with us to reduce services where possible to keep staff at home, and a big thank you to our men and women on the ground who continue to get to work safely each day despite pretty challenging conditions.
Have a safe and peaceful Easter
Thank you for using Safeguard.
The Safeguard Team
NATIONWIDE AND HARARE CRIME STATS
CRIME BREAKDOWN BY MONTH
HIGH-RISK AREAS
MARCH 2020 INCIDENT SUMMARIES
HARARE
06 March 2020, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Mitchell Road, Greendale:
Five (5) male suspects armed with knives and catapults, entered the premises via an undisclosed access point. The suspects entered the lounge through an open veranda door, tied up the complainants and forced one (1) of the female residents into the safe room. The suspects removed money, largely foreign currency, three (3) gold rings, three (3) bottles of whiskey and some cellphones from the residents – the cellphones were later found in the bathroom. The suspects exited the premises and fled the scene.
04 March 2020, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Cleveland Road, Greendale:
Four (4) suspects, armed with pistols, followed the complainant from a shopping centre and forced their way onto the residential premises as the complainant drove in. The suspects took an undisclosed amount of foreign currency, two (2) laptops and two (2) vehicle keys from the premises and locked the complainant in one (1) of the bedrooms before fleeing the scene.
28 March 2020, Assault, Commercial Site, Rhodesville Avenue, Greendale:
One (1) individual was arrested after he struck his colleague who had damaged his property.
05 March 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, West Road, Avondale:
Four (4) male suspects gained access onto the contract, assaulted the guard and forced their way into the building. The suspects took a vehicle from the premises and fled the scene.
03 March 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Seagrave Road, Avondale:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall and broke open the front and back door. The suspects removed a cellphone, cash box and laptops from the premises and fled the scene.
23 March 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Garth Road, Borrowdale:
An unknown number of suspects forced open a window and removed a gas tank and television from the premises.
12 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Grasmere Lane, Borrowdale:
A suspect forced open a bedroom window that was not secured with burglar bars. A resident saw the suspect and the suspect fled the scene.
12 March 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Greenhithe Lane, Borrowdale:
An unknown number of suspects forced their way onto the premises, broke the burglar bars and removed a portable safe from the wardrobe. The safe contained largely foreign currency, bank cards and a cellphone.
12 March 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Ridgeway South, Chisipite:
An unknown number of suspects cut through the palisade bars and forced their way into the guard room. The suspects tied up the guard and smashed through the windows and removed safes from the premises.
20 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Mbuya Nehanda Street, City Centre:
An unknown number gained access into the building by forcing open the roof. The response team responded to the site and a bag containing money, four ($) new pots, a rope, laptop, cellphone and ID card were found inside.
12 March 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Nelson Mandela Avenue/2nd Street, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the main door and removed an undisclosed amount of property from the premises.
09 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Sam Nujoma Street, City Centre:
A male suspect broke the front glass door and attempted to remove meat, money, CCTV monitor and decoder from the premises. The suspect was apprehended on site by the response team.
05 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Foxley Drive, Glen Lorne:
An unknown number of suspects attempted to gain access into the house by breaking the kitchen window. The alarm activated causing the suspect/s to flee the scene.
20 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Athlone Avenue, Greendale:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the lounge window and broke the burglar bars in attempt to enter the house and failed. The suspects fled the scene when the alarm activated and left behind a small torch.
06 March 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Clifton Road, Greendale:
An unknown number of suspects cut through the electric fence, forced open a window and burglars bars before removing a hand bag with an undisclosed amount of money.
06 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Alfred Road, Greendale:
An unknown number of suspects forced open an office window, twisted the palisade bars and gained access into the building but fled the scene empty handed.
17 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Stratford Drive, Greystone Park:
An unknown number of suspects driving a small vehicle and attempted to open a shed through the roof, causing the residents to wake up. It is believed the suspects had also attempted to tamper with the electricity box. The suspect/s fled the scene when the gardener approached the noise. The suspects threw stones at the gardener and fled the scene.
05 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Prince Edward Road, Kensington:
An unknown number of suspects arrived on site, cut the gate locks, vandalised the alarms system and some contract equipment before fleeing the scene empty handed after they failed to flee the scene with the equipment.
19 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Road, Kuwadzana:
An unknown number of suspects cut through the palisade bars, forced open the generator cage but did not manage to remove anything from the premises.
12 March 2020, Attempted Break, Base Station, 1st Street, Kuwadzana:
An unknown number of suspects cut through the palisade bars and but did not manage to remove anything from the premises, instead, the suspects left behind a hack saw.
16 March 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Uplands Close, Lewisam:
An unknown number of suspects accessed the premises through an undisclosed access point, ransacked the house and removed a small safe and window blinds from the premises.
02 March 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Hunyani Avenue, Mabvuku:
An unknown number of suspects broke through the palisade bars, forced the generator cage open and removed an undisclosed amount of fuel from the site.
02 March 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Pazarungu Street, Mbare:
An unknown number of suspects broke through the palisade bars, forced the generator cage open and removed an undisclosed amount of fuel from the site.
18 March 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Routledge Road, Milton Park:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the main entrance and removed a laptop bag and a small printer from the premises. The items were recovered onsite.
23 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Base Station, Heany Road, Mufakose:
An unknown number of suspects forced their way into the station after breaking through the palisade bars but didn’t manage to remove anything from the premises. The external guard who was supposed to be on duty was nowhere to be seen.
23 March 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Unnamed Street, Mukuvisi:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall and removed a battery from a vehicle on site. The guard on duty heard the noise and pressed a panic button before raising alarm. The suspects fled the scene and left behind socket spanners, pliers and a crowbar.
01 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Street, Ruwa:
An unknown number of suspects cut through the palisade bars, cut open a lock but did not manage to remove anything from the site.
28 March 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Bulawayo Road, Snake Park:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the palisade bars and generator cage and removed a battery from the site. Alarm activation received.
16 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Auckland Road, Southerton:
An unknown number of suspects removed the durawall panels and attempted to take batteries that had been left close to the durawall.
11 March 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Kirkman Road, Tynwald North:
An unknown number of suspects cut through the palisade bars, broke the fuel tank and removed an undisclosed amount of fuel as well as a camera from the premises. The external guard who was supposed to be on duty was nowhere to be seen.
04 March 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Porter Road, Waterfalls:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises after cutting through the razor wire. The suspects covered the cameras with plastics and removed an undisclosed amount of fuel from the premises.
02 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Barking Road, Willowvale:
An unknown number of suspects attempted to gain access onto the premises after cutting through the perimeter fence.
08 March 2020, Hijacking, Residential Site, Brackenhill Close, Colne Valley:
Two (2) suspects blocked the complainant with a vehicle, approached the complainant’s vehicle and took a handbag that contained remotes and money before fleeing the scene.
18 March 2020, Intruders, Residential Site, Harare Drive, Borrowdale:
An unknown number of suspects arrived on the premises and covered the outside cameras with a towel. No signs of forced entry or losses reported.
17 March 2020, Intruders, Industrial Site, Auckland Road, Southerton:
An intrusion is suspected as part of the durawall was discovered to have fallen on its side.
02 March 2020, Intruders, Commercial Site, Barking Road, Willowvale:
An unknown number of suspects vandalised the fence and fled the scene.
25 March 2020, Intruders, Residential Site, Rolf Valley:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall and were spotted by one (1) of the residents as they approached the borehole. An alarm was raised and the suspects fled the scene.
08 March 2020, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Borrowdale Road, Alexandra Park:
A variety of sport kits was taken from one (1) of the buildings and later recovered on site.
06 March 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, St Georges Street, Ardbennie:
An unknown number of suspects removed three (3) vehicle batteries from the premises.
18 March 2020, Theft, Residential Site, Fife Avenue, Avenues:
An unknown number of suspects removed clothing from the clothes line and fled the scene.
25 March 2020, Theft, Residential Site, Herbert Chitepo and Mazowe Street, Avenues.
An unknown number of suspects forcibly entered and stole a vehicle that was parked outside the premises
08 March 2020, Theft, Residential Site, Fairlawn Close, Avondale:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and removed a safe box from the site.
23 March 2020, Theft, Residential Site, Jerimani Close, Bluff Hill:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall and removed a gas stove and gas tank from the premises.
07 March 2020, Theft, Residential Site, Arnold Edmonds Drive, Glen Lorne:
An unknown number of suspects arrived on site and removed the cameras and vandalised the doors before fleeing the scene.
18 March 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, St Davids Road, Hatfield:
An unknown number of suspects removed an electricity/ZESA cable outside the premises.
19 March 2020, Theft, Residential Site, Pevency Road, Highlands:
An unknown number of suspects forcibly entered and stole a vehicle that was parked outside the premises.
30 March 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, The Chase, Mount Pleasant:
An unknown number of suspects removed a gate from the premises and fled the scene.
11 March 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Cleveland Road, Msasa:
An unknown number of suspects arrived on site a drained an undisclosed amount of diesel from the premises.
03 March 2020, Theft, Public Location, Martin Drive, Msasa:
Two (2) suspects approached the complainants as they were en route the bus stop, threatened them and took their personal belongings before fleeing the scene.
05 March 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Lytton Road, Southerton:
An unknown number of suspects removed work suits, shoes and a control cover for the borehole pump and fled the scene.
14 March 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Affirmative Way, Willowvale:
An unknown number of suspects removed an undisclosed amount of gas tanks from the site and fled the scene.
27 March 2020, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Affirmative Way, Willowvale:
Four (4) suspects were apprehended after attempting to remove scrap metal from the site.
14 March 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Covemntry Road, Workington:
Two (2) female suspects were apprehended after attempting to steal an undisclosed amount of met from the site.
14 March 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Douglas Road, Workington:
An unknown number of suspects removed an undisclosed number of tyres from the premises and fled the scene.
02 March 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Unnamed Street, Workington:
An unknown number of suspects stole three (3) flag ropes from the site and fled the scene.
22 March 2020, Theft from Vehicle, St Georges Street, Ardbennie:
An unknown number of suspects removed an undisclosed number of non-alcoholic beverages from a vehicle parked on site.
07 March 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Baines Avenue, Avenues:
An unknown number of suspects smashed open a window and removed a blanket, jacket and a crate of drinks from a vehicle parked on site.
20 March 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Commercial Site, Barking Road, Willowvale:
An unknown number of suspects approached a vehicle parked on site and removed the battery before fleeing the scene.
MATABELELAND
24 March 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Lobengula and Leopold Takawira, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects used a brick to smash open a window and removed a 10kg bag of mealie meal from the premises before fleeing the scene.
22 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, 14th Avenue and Fife Street, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects attempted to force open the door by inserting a metal object into the keyhole but failed to enter the premises.
01 March 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Dunlop Road, Donnington:
An unknown number of suspects broke through the durawall and removed an undisclosed amount of scarp metal from the premises.
24 March 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Jungle Road, Highmount:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the palisade bars and removed an undisclosed amount of fuel from the site.
08 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Moffat Avenue, Hillside:
An unknown number of suspects forced open a kitchen window, pulled out the burglar bars and attempted to open one (1) of the bedrooms. The noise woke up the residents and the suspects fled the scene.
21 March 2020, Break-in, Religious Site, Luveve Road, Luveve:
An unknown number of suspects forcibly opened the front door, gained access onto the site and removed televisions, a speaker and PA system from the premises.
11 March 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Woodville Park Road, Mahatsula:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the palisade bars and removed an undisclosed amount of fuel from the site.
15 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Base Station, Nguboyenja:
An unknown number of suspects attempted to break into the base station but fled the scene when the alarm activated. The suspects left behind a bag of tools as they fled the scene.
19 March 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Joubert Avenue, Parklands:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the palisade bars and removed an undisclosed amount of fuel from the site.
13 March 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Road, Sauerstown:
An unknown number of suspects cut through the perimeter fence and removed an undisclosed amount of fuel after vandalising the generator.
15 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Base Station, Cecil Avenue, Selbourne Park:
An unknown number of suspects used a hacksaw and to cut through the fence. The alarm activated causing the suspects to flee the scene before they could remove the fuel.
29 March 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Nugget Road, Steeldale:
An unknown number of suspects forced their way onto the site and removed fuel, footwear, glue, tea urn and a black trunk from the premises.
04 March 2020, Break-in, Attempted Base Station, Knobthorn Road, Thorngrove:
An unknown number of suspects cut through the razor wire, disconnected the cameras and started draining fuel from the generator. The alarm activated causing the suspects to flee the scene leaving behind filled and empty containers and an iron bar.
05 March 2020, Intruder, Retail Site, Northend:
Security apprehended one (1) suspect who was found loitering on site. No losses reported.
14 March 2020, Attempted Theft, Mining Site, Unnamed Road, Bulawayo:
Guard on duty recovered a mining lamp, a pinch bar and cap inside a bag on site.
24 March 2020, Attempted Theft, Mining Site, Unnamed Road, Bulawayo:
One (1) suspect was apprehended after being found in possession of gold ore.
14 March 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Southway Road, Burnside:
An unknown number of suspects removed an empty 25 litre container from the premises.
17 March 2020, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Fairbridge Road, Fairbridge:
The guard on duty raised alarm after a suspect was seen throwing crates over the durawall. The suspect fled the scene empty handed.
31 March 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Bon Accord, Steeldale:
An unknown number of suspects removed two (2) empty drums that were in the scrap yard and fled the scene.
14 March 2020, Theft, Residential Site, Flint Road, Hillside:
One (1) suspect was apprehended after being accused of stealing a child’s shoes from the premises.
08 March 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Hardware, Doncaster Road, Belmont:
An unknown number of suspects smashed open a window of a vehicle parked on site and removed a briefcase containing money and personal documents.
08 March 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Retail Site, Josiah Chinamano, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects driving a white Honda Fit, approached a vehicle parked on site and removed laptop and charger from the vehicle.
17 March 2020, Attempted Theft from Vehicle, Retail Site, Josiah Chinamano, City Centre:
One (1) suspect was apprehended after he was found attempting to steal from a vehicle parked on site. The owner of the vehicle approached the suspect and the suspect attempted to flee by jumping into a Honda Fit with no registration plates.
20 March 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Retail Site, Josiah Chinamano, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects smashed open a window and removed satchel with a laptop charger and adapter, a purse containing money and handbag with clothing from the vehicle.
25 March 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Commercial Site, Livingstone Road, Suburbs:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and removed batteries and fuel from two (2) tractors parked on site.
MANICALAND
MUTARE
12 March 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Fourth Street, City Centre:
One (1) suspect forcibly gained access onto the premises and attempted to force open a vehicle parked on site. The suspect who is believed to be mentally unstable, was apprehended and handed over to the police.
07 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Road, Fern Valley:
One (1) male suspect forcibly entered the base station after forcing through the palisade bars. The suspect attempted to remove the batteries but was interrupted by the reaction team. The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle of an undisclosed make and colour and left behind some tools
10 March 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Plantation Drive, Morningside:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall, forced their way through the veranda roof and vandalised the windows and burglar bars to enter the house. The suspects ransacked the house and removed an undisclosed amount of property from the premises before fleeing the scene.
01 March 2020, Break-in Residential Site, Strotford Avenue, Murambi:
An unknown number of suspects cut through the fence and jumped over the durawall. The suspects cut through the burglar bars and removed a laptop and money from the premises.
08 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Road, Nyakamete:
An unknown number of suspects arrived on site, vandalised the camera, forced open the palisade bars and attempted to remove batteries from the base station. The alarm activated causing the suspects to flee the scene empty handed.
22 March 2020, Break-in, Industrial Site, St Helens Drive, Nyakamete:
An unknown number of suspects cut through the fence and removed an undisclosed amount of timber peels from the premises.
13 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Industrial Site, Park Road, Nyakamete:
One (1) suspect cut through the fence, removed the durawall panels and attempted to remove a tyre from the premises. An alert guard saw the suspect and the suspect fled the scene empty handed.
14 March 2020, Attempted Theft, Retail Site, Herbert Chitepo, City Centre:
One (1) employee was apprehended after removing and eating goods taken from the premises.
15 March 2020, Attempted Theft, Residential Site, Plantation Drive, Morningside:
One (1) suspect was apprehended after being found in possession of food, a metal cutter, alcohol, two (2) decoders and a handbag taken from the site.
05 March 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Cardiff Road, Nyakamete:
An unknown number of suspects stole thirteen (13) tyres from the premises and fled the scene
27 March 2020, Attempted Theft, Industrial Site, Park Road, Nyakamete:
Three (3) suspects who are employees on site were apprehended after they attempted to steal six (6) bags of maize from the premises.
RUSAPE
04 March 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Road, Vhengere:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the palisade bars and removed an undisclosed amount of diesel from the site.
22 March 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Road, Vhengere:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the palisade bars and removed an undisclosed amount of diesel from the site.
26 March 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Road, Vhengere:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the palisade bars and removed an undisclosed amount of diesel from the site.
ODZI
03 March 2020, Theft, Farm, Unnamed Road, Odzi:
An unknown number of suspects accessed the field and removed an undisclosed number of maize cobs from the field.
MASHONALAND EAST
01 March 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Unnamed Road, Mount Hampden:
An unknown number of suspects removed 50kg of coal dust from the premises and fled the scene.
MASHONALAND WEST
22 March 2020, Break-In, Base Station, Joburg, Norton:
An unknown number of suspects broke through the palisade bars, forced open the generator cage and removed an undisclosed amount of fuel from the site.
22 March 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Street, Marridale – Norton:
An unknown number of suspects broke through the palisade bars, forced open the generator cage and removed an undisclosed amount of fuel from the site.
21 March 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Gushungo Way, Nharira – Norton:
An unknown number of suspects arrived on site with a vehicle and cut through the palisade bars before removing an undisclosed amount of fuel from the site.
MIDLANDS
GWERU
04 March 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Northgate Heights:
The guard on site saw an intruder jumping over the durawall and gave warning and the suspect fled the scene.
18 March 2020, Theft, Base Station, Unnamed Road, Mkoba:
An unknown number of suspects removed an undisclosed amount of fuel from the site and fled the scene.
23 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Unnamed Road, Mkoba:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises, forced open the kitchen door but failed to remove anything from the premises. Alarm activation received.
KWEKWE
16 March 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Birmingham Road, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects removed crates of alcohol from the premises and fled the scene.
29 March 2020, Theft, Retail Site, Unnamed Road, City Centre:
One (1) suspect was apprehended after removing and concealing coffee taken from the premises.
08 March 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Clyde Road, Industrial Area:
One (1) suspect was apprehended after stealing sugar from the site. The suspect connived and executed the act with two (2) employees.
22 March 2020, Attempted Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Road, Newtown:
An unknown number of suspects forced the palisade bars but did not manage to remove anything from the site.
SHURUGWI
28 March 2020, Intruder, Mining Site, Shurugwi:
Guard fired a warning shot after observing an intruder on site.
18 March 2020, Intruders, Mining Site, Shurugwi:
Two (2) suspects were apprehended by security after they were seen loitering on site.