DECEMBER 2020 OVERVIEW
Although crime decreased by 18% nationwide, break-ins continue to increase with spree break-ins reported in Harare residential areas.
Confirmed incidents of robbery increased by 17%. Violence remains prevalent during robbery incidents, with 1 incident of rape reported in Whitecliff, Harare (incident not included in this report).
Considering that the current lockdown is not as strict as the first crime may remain a problem with criminals most likely to target residential and industrial areas if access to the city centres is reduced.
*Please note, a majority of the incidents received by Safeguard are from the Harare province as the statistics below reflect.
NATIONWIDE AND HARARE CRIME STATS
CRIME BREAKDOWN BY MONTH
HIGH-RISK AREAS
*The above suburbs are listed in order of current vulnerability.
TARGETS
Money remains a common target, with criminals increasingly targeting safes at retail or commercial sites
Retailers and manufactures of non-alocholic beverages and basic food items such as meat, sugar, rice etc were increasingly targeted in the past month. Internal employees were the most common suspects in these incidents.
Batteries, namely car batteries, truck batteries and generator batteries remain a common target nationwide. Industrial sites with large trucks and base stations are the most vulnerable for battery thefts.
MODUS OPERANDI
- In the past few months, a number of spree break-ins have been reported at residential sites with criminals simultaneously targeting at least three houses in one night. This likely indicates an increase in criminal gang sizes during robberies.
- Roofs are also becoming a commonly used access point at industrial sites with zinc and asbestos identified as the most easily compromised material.
- Criminals have reverted to “fishing” goods out of residential or retail premises. Property owners are urged to ensure that their property, especially small valuable goods are locked up or packed away and not close to the doors or windows.
SECURITY ALERT
Glenview – Suspicious Vehicle: A suspicious vehicle was moving around Glenview. It was a navy blue BMW with tinted windows and 7 occupants.
OUTLOOK
Crime continues to evolve with two incidents reported in Manicaland where explosives were used to bomb safes. With the current nationwide lockdown, opportunistic theft may increase as many individuals will be unable to work during lockdown. Unlike the initial lockdown, there is still some vehicle and pedestrian traffic thus creating room for criminal activity.
Ensure that all belongings are secure all times and that nothing is left lying round on kitchen counters, dining room tables or office desks.
Utilise your panic button, report suspicious vehicles/persons in your area and protect yourself from being a victim of crime.
For a walk through of your security at home or business, please do not hesitate to give Safeguard a call. Your safety is our priority.
Thank you for using Safeguard.
The Safeguard Team
DECEMBER 2020 INCIDENT SUMMARIES
HARARE
27 December 2020, Robbery, Residential Site, Chishawasha:
An unknown number of intruders forcibly accessed the premises, fired several shots in the air and tied up the tenants. The intruders removed an undisclosed amount of property from the site and fled the scene. A neighbour of the targeted individuals pressed the panic button and the response team was deployed to the site with the police. The intruders had already fled the scene upon the team’s arrival.
01 December 2020, Robbery, Commercial Site, Enterprise Road, Highlands:
The response team was dispatched after a neighbouring guard heard noise on the premises. Seven masked armed intruders had attempted to rob the premise after they held up the guards. The intruders mentioned that they wanted to enter an office and mentioned an employee by name. The robbers fled the scene after the response team and backup were dispatched. The intruders left behind a bag with screwdrivers.
20 December 2020, Attempted Robbery, Residential Site, Pervensey Road, Highlands:
Eight (8) armed and masked intruders arrived on site in a white BMW. The intruders held up the guards and forced the guards to knock on the tenant’s door. The tenant refused to open the door and the intruders fled the scene as the response team arrived on site. The intruders fled the scene with the guards’ cellphones and money.
11 December 2020, Robbery, Industrial Site, Harrow Road, Msasa:
An unknown number of intruders jumped over the durawall and help up the complainants. The intruders used a sharp object to force open the reception door causing the alarm to activate. The response team was dispatched to the site. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken from the office and the intruders fled the scene as the team arrived on site.
02 December 2020, Robbery, Industrial Site, Mukuvisi, Msasa:
Six armed intruders gained access and handcuffed a guard and aimed a pistol at his head. They then proceeded to the loading area where some employees were loading a truck about to depart. The robbers then ransacked the premises stealing two laptops. The intruders removed an undisclosed amount of money from the safe and fled the scene.
01 December 2020, Attempted Fraud, Commercial Site, Samora Machel West Road and Hampden Road, Belvedere:
A client was apprehended after attempting to use a fake $100 United States Dollar note to purchase fuel.
12 December 2020, Assault – Robbery, Public Location, Graniteside:
A male detail was struck in the head with a brick by an unknown number of suspects whilst on his way to work. The detail was rendered unconscious as a result of the blow. The suspects took the detail’s satchel which had a wallet, a bank card and identification card before fleeing the scene.
05 December 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Harare Drive, Ashdown Park:
An unknown number of intruders forced open the palisade bars and removed a battery and fuel from the base station. The break-in was discovered the next morning and the response team was dispatched to the site.
15 December 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Cardigan Avenue, Belvedere:
An unknown number of intruders cut through the electric fence and accessed the premises. The intruders forced open the dining room window and removed a television and blanket from the dining room. The tenant pressed the panic button upon discovering the break-in in the morning.
27 December 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Carrick Creagh, Borrowdale:
An unknown number of intruders forcibly accessed the premises, broke through the lounge windows and removed a purse, novels and a cellphone from the house. One of the tenants heard the noise and pressed a guard monitoring panic button as the intruders fled the scene. The response team was dispatched to the site.
07 December 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Hawkshead Drive, Borrowdale:
An unknown number of intruders forcibly accessed the premises and removed a pressure pump from the site.
12 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Hawkshead Drive, Borrowdale:
An unknown number of intruders forced open a kitchen window causing the alarm to activate. The intruders fled the scene empty-handed when the alarm activated.
03 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Langdale Drive, Borrowdale:
An unknown number of intruders jumped over the durawall and forced open a window which hadn’t been closed. The intruders removed an undisclosed amount of money from the site and fled the scene. The break-in was discovered the next day and the tenant reported the incident to the control room
06 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Langdale Drive, Borrowdale:
The response team was dispatched to the premises after an alarm activated on site. Upon arrival, it was observed that an intruder had attempted to force open one (1) of the windows on site but fled when the alarm activated.
26 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Street, Budiriro:
An unknown number of intruders forcibly opened the palisade bars causing the alarm to activate. The response team was deployed and the intruders fled the scene as the alarm activated and no losses were reported on site.
10 December 2020, Break-in, Residential Avenue, Hindhead Avenue, Chisipite:
The response team was dispatched to the site after the tenant called the control-room reporting intruders on site. Upon arrival, it was discovered that intruders had attempted to force open a bedroom window, no losses were reported.
10 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Jenkinson Road, Chisipite:
An unknown number of intruders cut through the electric fence and accessed the premises. Footprints revealed that the intruders used the premises as a passage to a neighbouring site. Several attempted break-ins were reported at three (3) other houses along Jenkinson Road. The client called the control-room when the incident was discovered the next morning.
09 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site Pemry Road, Chisipite:
An unknown number of intruders jumped over the durawall and attempted to enter a building on site. The alarm activated and the intruders fled the scene empty-handed as the response team was dispatched to the site.
18 December 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Harare Street, City Centre:
An unknown number of intruders forced open the back door but failed to enter the premises due to a locked screen door. The intruders then fished out a number of degreaser bottles from the shop and fled the scene. The tenant called the control room upon discovering the break-in the next morning.
24 December 2020, Break-in, Base Station, 1st Street and Tamuka Street, Dzivarasekwa:
An unknown number of intruders broke through the palisade bars causing the alarm to activate. The intruders fled the scene as the response team was dispatched to the site. No losses reported.
04 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Robert Mugabe Way, Eastlea:
The response team was dispatched to the site after an alarm activated on site. Upon arrival, the team was informed by the private guards that intruders had forced upon one (1) of the doors and removed a CPU which was later dumped on-site as the intruders fled the scene.
03 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Lowgate Road, Glen Lorne:
An unknown number of intruders attempted to enter the premises after cutting through the fence. An alert guard saw the intruders and raised alarm, causing the intruders to flee the scene. The tenant later called the control-room and the response team was dispatched on site.
30 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Coronation Avenue, Greendale:
The tenant pressed the panic button after hearing intruders trying to force open the main door. The intruders fled the scene upon realising the tenant had woken up. The intruders had accessed the premises by cutting through the electric fence.
28 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Arcturus Road, Greendale:
An unknown number of intruders forced open the gate but failed to remove anything from the premises.
24 December 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Cleveland Road, Greendale:
An unknown number of intruders forcibly accessed the premises and broke into a vehicle parked on site. The intruders removed the vehicle battery and fled the scene.
16 December 2020, Break-in Residential Site, Knowetop, Greendale:
The tenant pressed the panic button upon discovering that intruders had forced their way into the house. The intruders broke through the kitchen window, removed an undisclosed amount of money from the house and jumped over the durawall as they fled the scene.
23 December 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Knowetop Road, Greendale:
An unknown number of intruders forcibly accessed the premises and broke into the bedroom. The intruders took some money from a wallet and exited the house through the lounge bedroom. A tenant heard the noise and pressed the panic button as the house alarm was off. The response team was dispatched to the site.
09 December 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Lee Road, Greendale:
The alarm on site activated and the response team was dispatched to the site. Upon arrival, the team received a report that four (4) intruders jumped over the durawall and broke the bedroom window to access the premises. The intruders grabbed a handbag that had bank cards, money, a watch and office keys and fled the scene.
17 December 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Clivedon Close, Highlands:
An unknown number of intruders jumped over the durawall and attempted to force open the kitchen door causing the alarm to activate. The intruders failed to access the kitchen as they were blocked by a shutter door and resorted to using a pole to fish out a handbag from the kitchen.
27 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Religious Centre, Enterprise Road, Highlands:
An unknown number of intruders accessed the premises and attempted to remove a geyser from the site. An alert guard saw the intrusion and the intruder fled the scene, leaving behind a pipe on the roof.
10 December 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Flanagan Avenue, Hillside:
An unknown number of intruders jumped over the durawall and forced open a back door. The intruders removed two (2) laptops from the site and fled the scene. The break-in was discovered the next morning and the tenant pressed the panic button. The response team was dispatched to the site.
23 December 2020, Break-in, Retail Site, Unnamed Street, Kuwadzana 4:
An unknown number of intruders forced open the back door and removed a packages of rice, sugar and a case of non-alcoholic beverages from the site. No alarm signal was received as the sensor at the access point which the intruders used had been bypassed.
26 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Belant Road, Mandara:
Four (4) male intruders accessed the premises and broke through the kitchen door. The intruders failed to break through the screen door and fled the scene when one of the tenants came to investigate the noise. The tenant called the response team after the intruders had fled the scene and the response team was dispatched.
15 December 2020, Break-in, Industrial Site, Koefman Street, Mbare:
An unknown number of intruders cut through the electric fence and entered the yard. The intruders broke open a window and but failed to enter the building. The intruders proceeded to force open the roof and started breaking through the ceiling. The alarm activated and the intruders fled the scene empty-handed as the response team was dispatched to the site.
27 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Colenbrander Road, Milton Park:
An unknown number of intruders attempted to access the premises by cutting through the fence. The alarm activated and the intruders fled the scene. No losses reported.
26 December 2020, Break-in – Arrest by Safeguard, Retail Site, Mutare Road, Msasa:
Alert guards saw an intruder on site and raised the response control room. The response team was dispatched and found the intruder on site. The intruder had used a grinder and hacksaw to force open the roof, accessed the cash office and removed a significant amount of money and a safe from the office. The response team arrested the intruder and handed him over to the police at Rhodesville Police Station.
22 December 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Street, Mufakose:
An unknown number of intruders forced open the palisade bars and cut through the razor wire causing the alarm to activate. The response team was dispatched to the site and discovered fuel leaking from the generator. The intruders had fled the scene upon the team’s arrival.
03 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Lingmell Close, Philadelphia:
Intruders jumped over the wall and cut through the toilet burglar bars. The intruders attempted to open an inside door and the alarm activated, causing the intruders to flee the scene empty-handed.
17 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Retail Site, Seke Road and Boshoff Drive, Sunningdale:
An unknown number of intruders accessed the premises and forced open the generator cage. The alarm activated and the intruders fled the scene as the response team was dispatched on site.
29 December 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Tafara:
An unknown number of intruders forced open the palisade bars and twisted the generator cage to enter the premises. The alarm activated during the intrusion and a response team was dispatched to the site. The intruders cover the close-circuit television camera (CCTV) with a cloth and vandalised the lights before siphoning an undisclosed amount of fuel from the generator tank.
27 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Base Station, Porter Road, Waterfalls:
The control room received an anonymous call informing them that two (2) intruders had cut through the palisade bars to enter the base station. The response team was dispatched and discovered that the intruders had failed to remove anything from the site.
24 December 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Chitungwiza Road, Waterfalls:
An unknown number of intruders cut through the palisade bars causing the alarm to activate. The response team was dispatched to the site and upon arrival discovered that the generator pipes had been cut with fuel leaking from the generator.
22 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Base Station, Porter Road, Waterfalls:
An unknown number of intruders broke through the palisade bars and covered two (2) close-circuit television cameras with a cloth. The alarm activated and the response team was dispatched to the site. Upon arrival the team discovered that the intruders had fled the scene empty-handed.
25 December 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Industrial Site, Barking Road, Willowvale:
An alert night guard reported that the fence had been cut by an unknown number of intruders. A perimeter check was done and it was reported that no property had been removed from the site.
29 December 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Mukute Road, Zimre Park:
The tenant called the control room and reported that an intruder had jumped over the durawall causing the alarm to activate. The intruder fled the scene when the alarm activated and no losses were reported on site. Response team was dispatched to the site.
17 December 2020, Intrusion, Residential Site, Campbeltown Road, Bluffhill:
An alert guard saw three (3) intruders jump into a neighbouring yard and raised the control-room. The intruders fled the scene as the response team arrived on site. No losses reported.
24 December 2020, Attempted Theft, Residential Site, The Chase, Ashbrittle:
Some electric lines were cut and vandalised by suspected thieves. There was no break in reported on site. ZESA was informed about the electrical cables and a report was made at Malborough Police.
14 December 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Foundry Road, Aspindale:
Two (2) batteries were reported missing from a truck on site.
2 December 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, St Georges Street, Ardbennie:
Three (3) employees were arrested by an alert guard that suspected them of theft. The employees were found carrying a large amount of stolen goods, non-alcoholic beverages, taken from the company. The three (3) were detained and are in custody awaiting trial.
15 December 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Tilcor, Chitungwiza:
Four (4) truck batteries were reported missing on a truck which was under repair. The cost of the stolen property was $150 USD.
16 December 2020, Theft, Retail Site, Town Centre, Chitungwiza:
Three (3) employees were arrested after they used a discarded receipt to steal groceries from the site. The accuseds’ cars were searched and found with stolen groceries The three (3) accused were detained at Zengeza Police Station.
12 December 2020, Theft-Arrest by Safeguard, Commercial Site, Jason Moyo, City Centre:
An on duty guard managed to arrest a suspect that had been stealing ATM cards on site. The suspect who was working with at least two (2) other suspects who fled the scene, would approach clients at various banks and pretend to assist them at the ATM. The suspects would retrieve the victim’s bank card pins and swap out their cards. The arrested suspect was found in possession of 54 bank cards on his person and was handed over to the police.
25 December 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Coull Drive, Mount Pleasant:
Four (4) copper cables were stolen from the site after the power went out.
15 December 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Harrow Road, Msasa:
An unknown number of intruders removed a radio from the premises and fled the scene.
13 December 2020, Theft, Industrial site, Ventersburg Road, Sunway City:
A generator battery was removed from the premises by an unknown number of intruders.
03 December 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Gleneagles Road, Willowdale:
A security light and a panel were stolen on site. No intruders were seen.
09 December 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Coventry road, Workington:
A vendor was arrested whilst trying to steal meat from the premises.
03 December 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Coventry Road, Workington:
A vendor was arrested trying to steal meat using a discarded receipt.
15 December 2020, Theft from a Motor Vehicle, Industrial Site, Foundry Road, Aspindale:
Two (2) truck batteries valued at $210USD were stolen from the site. The case was reported to ZRP Marimba.
10 December 2020, Theft from a Motor Vehicle, Industrial Site, Simon Mazorodze, Ardbennie:
An unknown number of intruders accessed the premises and removed a battery from a freight truck parked on site.
10 December 2020, Theft from a Motor Vehicle, Industrial Site, Simon Mazorodze, Ardbennie:
Intruders broke through a durawall and electric fence to break into a parked truck. The intruders removed an undisclosed amount of non-alcoholic beverages from the truck.
25 December 2020, Theft from a Motor Vehicle, industrial Site, Bristol Road, Workington:
Intruders accessed the premises and removed fuel from a truck parked on site, Two (2) employees were arrested for stealing the fuel.
MASHONALAND EAST
01 December 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Damba Road, Ruwa:
An unknown number of intruders accessed the premises and stole steel from the site.
BULAWAYO
17 December 2020, Break in, Residential Site, Churchill Road, Bellevue:
A panic button was pressed and a response was dispatched on site. On arrival it was discovered that the kitchen door was wide open, the bottom half was completely detached from the door frame. The intruders stole a plasma TV and a suitcase with undisclosed items inside. They left some groceries outside when disturbed by the response team.
28 December 2020, Break in, Retail Site, 9th Avenue and Robert Mugabe Way Corner, City Centre:
The tenant called the control room and reported that there had been a break-in and an undisclosed amount of money had been stolen from the site.
24 December 2020, Attempted Break in, Industrial Site, Josiah Chinamano Road, City Centre:
An alarm activated and a response team was dispatched. The team discovered a break in where a window was smashed. The intruders wanted to access the cash office but were disturbed by the response team. Nothing was stolen.
05 December 2020, Attempted Break in, Industrial Site, Josiah Tongogara Street, City Centre:
Four (4) intruders entered the premises intending to steal but all left as the response team was dispatched. Nothing was stolen.
22 December 2020, Break in, Residential Site, Old Victoria Falls Road, Highmount:
Unknown intruders broke into a guest house and stole various property including a television and decoder. The incident occurred whilst the complainant was asleep in another room.
09 December 2020, Break in, Base Station, Bothwick Road, Killarney:
A break in was reported at a base station and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival they discovered that the pillars were cut and diesel was drained from the generator.
23 December 2020, Attempted Break in, Base Station, Gampu Road, Matshobana:
There was an intrusion and a response team was called. They found that a palisade was broken and paced back but nothing was found to be stolen.
18 December 2020, Break in, Base Station, Wellington Road, Morningside:
A break in was reported at a base station and a response team was dispatched. It was reported that the cameras were shifted facing upwards and the palisade fence was broken to gain entry and diesel was stolen.
23 December 2020, Attempted Break in, Base Station, Nguboyenja:
An alarm activated and a response team was dispatched on site. The response team found a palisade broken and the fence cut. The cameras were tampered with however nothing was stolen.
22 December 2020, Break in, Residential site, Lady Stanley Avenue, Northend:
A guard discovered that there was a break in where a plasma TV, decoder and an undisclosed amount of money was stolen.
28 December 2020, Break in, Base Station, Walsall road, Thorngrove:
There was an intrusion and a response team arrived. They found diesel leaking and a palisade removed.
11 December 2020, Petty Theft, Industrial site, Harare and Fairbridge road, Fairbridge:
A worker was found with two (2) bottles of non-alcoholic beverage in his work-suit pockets.
17 December 2020, Theft, Residential Site, Kildare Road, Hillside:
A client reported that swimming pool equipment that he had fitted the previous day was missing.
1 December 2020, Theft, Retail Site, Thornwest crescent, Thorngrove:
An employee of the company was found with 5L of stolen paint.
MATABELELAND SOUTH
31 December 2020, Theft, Petrol Station, Beitbridge:
A water pump was stolen from the garage by unknown intruders.
MANICALAND
27 December 2020, Armed Robbery, Petrol Station, Durban Road, Nyakamete:
An alarm activated and the response team was dispatched on site. Upon arrival the team discovered that the fence behind the property was cut to get in. The intruders locked two (2) petrol attendants in the supervision room. The three (3) guards on site were attacked and also locked in the supervision room. The intruders stole the guards uniform jackets, panic buttons and one of the guard’s cell phones. The intruders used explosives to blow up the safe in the petrol attendant’s office and stole an undisclosed amount of money. Some window panes were broken in the safe rooms. One guard was injured on the eye during the incident.
01 December 2020, Intruder, Industrial Site, Herbert Chitepo Street, City Centre:
An intruder was found hiding behind a motor vehicle. Employees on site caught the intruder and called the control-room. The guard let the suspect go on the grounds that he knew him. The guards suspected foul play and informed their supervisor of the incident. Nothing was stolen at the premises.
30 December 2020, Theft, Residential Site, George Silundika Road, City Centre:
A laptop and its case were stolen from a cottage on site.
18 December 2020, Theft, Retail Site, Herbert Chitepo Road, City Centre:
It was reported to safeguard that 22 pairs of trousers were stolen from the premises. The theft was discovered after stock take was done.
10 December 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Tembwe Street, City Centre:
A theft incident was reported on site and the response team was dispatched on site.
01 December 2020, Break in, Retail Site, Herbert Chitepo Street, City Centre:
A shop had its big windows smashed by a suspected street kid. Nothing confirmed to be stolen.
24 December 2020, Residential Site, Jason Moyo Drive, Murambi:
An alarm activated and a response team was dispatched on site. Upon arrival they found that a burglar bar was twisted and that some meat and two (2) pots were stolen. A police report was made. The keyholder was advised and requested guards on site.
MIDLANDS
GWERU
21 December 2020, Attempted Robbery, Public Area, Cupar Road, Lundi Park:
A panic button was pressed when a man suspected he was being followed. The response team was dispatched to escort the man. Upon arrival the team discovered that there were two (2) armed men with a rifle who had attempted to hijack the complainant. They fled when they saw the response vehicle.
20 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Smart Road, Athlone:
The response team was dispatched team after an alarm activated on site. Upon arrival, the team discovered that the front door had been tampered with but the intruders had failed to access the residence.
16 December 2020, Theft, Public location, 2nd Street, Gweru City Centre:
A complainant reported that his clothing had been stolen from his bag in the city centre
31 December 2020, Attempted Break-in, Educational Institution, Jones Road, Daylesford:
An alarm activated and the response team was dispatched on site. Upon arrival, the team discovered that the kitchen door had been forced open. It appears the intruders fled the scene when the alarm activated as there were no losses on site.
SHURUGWI
03 December 2020, Theft, Mining Site, Guinea Fowl, Shurugwi:
A fence was cut and pulled to steal a submersive pump. The pump was located near the security fence.
17 December 2020, Intrusion, Mining Site, Shurugwi:
An alert guard saw intruders on site and fire warning shots to scare off the suspects. No losses or injuries reported.
14 December 2020, Theft, Mining Site, Shurugwi:
The internal guards on site reported a solar panel and battery were stolen.
08 December 2020, Theft, Mining Site, Shurugwi:
An alert guard caught an employee trying to get through a cut fence where he was patrolling. The accused was taken to ZRP Shurugwi and was accused of stealing ore.