OCTOBER 2021 OVERVIEW
- Crime incidents reported to Safeguard decreased by 18% in the past 2 months. Robberies remain a cause for concern with eight incidents reported in October 2021 (double when compared to September 2021).
- In Goromonzi, Mashonaland East, and in Steeldale, Bulawayo incidents of assault during robbery were reported. In a non-Safeguard related incident in Masvingo, a resident was shot in the abdomen during an armed robbery.
- In the past month, Safeguard reported an increase in vehicle dispatches to sites that do not have alarm systems indicating that sites without alarm systems or those with malfunctioned systems are more vulnerable.
- In Matsheumhlope, Bulawayo, multiple break-ins were reported in one night indicating that there could be a group of burglars operating in the suburb and surrounding areas.
- In the rest of the country, robberies remain a cause for concern especially in rural growth points and towns close to the border.
- Related to robberies, the police continue to report incidents in which criminals target hitchhikers after giving them a lift. The police have also reported that there is a Toyota Fortuner that is targeting hitchhikers between Harare and Chinhoyi.
- The police have reported that when compared to the first 9 months of 2020 (January – September), crime has increased by 3.7% for the same period in 2021.
- As murder cases continue to riddle the country, the police have also reported a trend in which children are succumbing to violence as a result of domestic disputes.
- The Safeguard mobile patrol team continues to make arrests of suspicious persons in Alexandra Park, an effort that has helped to reduce incidents of gate motor thefts in the area.
NATIONWIDE AND HARARE CRIME STATS
CRIME BREAKDOWN BY MONTH
Security Advice
Outlook
Clients that facilitate remittances are urged to be more vigilant as we approach the festive season. Safeguard continues to urge clients to always minimise the amount of money kept on site and to avoid storing money on site overnight. Safeguard offers both cash-in-transit and storage services which are recommended during this time.
As Zimstat carries out a mapping exercise in preparation for the 2022 census, residents and businesses are urged to always request identification cards and refrain from opening the gate for strangers. Any questions can always be asked through the intercom or gate.
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.
OCTOBER 2021 INCIDENT SUMMARIES
HARARE
Armed Robbery
16 October 2021, 07:00, Residential Site, Thornpark Drive, Marlborough– A client called the control room on behalf of a friend and informed the control room that a robbery had occurred. At 07:00 in the morning, three male suspects and one female suspect dressed in work-suits approached the gardener and accused him of raping their colleague. The gardener was forced into the yard and once inside the suspects produced a pistol. The gardener was tied up and left under the female suspect’s charge. The three male suspects proceeded into the house and held up a resident before stealing money in USD currency, cellphones, car keys, and a vehicle. No signal was received from the premise and the technicians could not investigate as the police were yet to attend to the scene.
Robbery
06 October 2021, 19:34, Residential Site, Coltman Road, Mount Pleasant – The Safeguard response team was dispatched to the site after a neighbor reported a robbery on site. On arrival, it was discovered that the intruders had already fled the scene. The team was informed that four suspects had forcibly entered the premises armed with catapults, and a shovel they had taken from the yard. The intruders took three cellphones, three laptops, and an iPad from the premises and fled the scene.
28 October 2021, 22:50, Commercial Site, Mbare – A phone call was received reporting a robbery. At around 21:30, two employees were held up and beaten by two male suspects. They forced the employees to disarm the alarm and went away with some money. A team was dispatched at 22:56 responding to the phone call as no alarm signal was received.
Break-in
01 October 2021, 03:58, Residential Site, Hedsor Drive, Helensvale – A phone call was received requesting a response team. The team met the caretaker who said the intruders gained entry via one of the small windows and used one of the doors as the exit. It was undetermined what was stolen. The client said she would visit later in the day and make a police report.
08 October 2021, 22:32, Residential Site, Coronation Avenue, Greendale – The Safeguard response team was dispatched to the premise after the client pressed a panic button. Upon arrival, the team was informed that the client had heard a noise in the yard and it was discovered that intruders had cut the electric fence and tried to force open a cottage on site. No losses were reported on site.
08 October 2021, 01:35, Commercial Site, Midlothian Avenue, Eastlea – An unknown number of intruders opened a kitchen door causing the alarm to activate. The response team was dispatched and upon arrival, they found that the kitchen door was left closed but unlocked. No losses were reported.
09 October 2021, 00:51, Residential Site, Coronation Avenue, Greendale – The Safeguard response team was dispatched after the client pressed a panic button. Upon arrival, it was discovered that the client had left the windows open and intruders had attempted to cut the burglar bars at one of the bedrooms. No losses were reported.
12 October 2021, Residential Site, Upper East Road, Mount Pleasant: An unknown number of intruders cut through the fence and attempted to access the premise. The resident heard the noise and called the control room. The response team was dispatched and upon arrival, it was discovered that intruders had forced entry onto a neighboring site, and stolen a gate motor and borehole pump. The intruders had then attempted to enter the client site but fled the scene when they noted that the client had woken up from the noise.
14 October 2021, Residential Site, Doveton Avenue, Borrowdale: The client called the control room requesting a response team on site. Upon arrival, the team discovered that an unknown number of intruders cut through the electric fence near the main gate and accessed the premises. The intruders proceeded to the lounge and broke through the window. 4 x 12-volt solar batteries, a television, an inverter, and a CCTV monitoring screen were taken from the premises. The iron bar that the intruders used to force open the window was left on site. The alarm was not armed at the time this incident occurred.
23 October 2021, 01:45, Tilbury Road, Willowvale – There was an intruder on-site, they scaled the electric fence and forced entry through the reception door. The alarm activated and the intruder fled.
24 October 2021, 01:55, Residential Site, Warren Park – Client activated the alarm when five intruders attempted to force open the front door. The response team was dispatched and upon arrival, it was discovered that the intruders had jumped over a low part of the durawall to access the premise. The client informed the team that the intruders were armed with different weapons and that one of the intruders had an undisclosed firearm. The intruders fled the scene when the alarm activated.
26 October 2021, 01:35, Medical Centre, Talbot Road, Southerton – An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched and the team arrived at 01:38. Intruders had broken the front door for the waiting room, they entered the data capture room and stole a desktop computer. Mbare police attended the scene.
Intruders
3 October 2021, 03:00, Residential Site, Cambridge Road, Avondale – The night guard reported intruders close to the premise. The intruders ran away when they were spotted. Nothing was stolen. A supervisor went to check the scene. Everything was in order.
15 October 2021, 03:40, Residential Site, Drew Road, Kambanji – A client called the control room on behalf of a neighbor. The response team was dispatched to the premises. Upon arrival, the team was informed that the resident had seen people trying to enter the residence. The intruders had fled the scene by the time the team had arrived. No losses were reported.
24 October 2021, 22:21, Salford Road, Mbare – An intruder jumped the durawall and was arrested by a guard on site. The intruder was taken to Mbare Police station.
Theft
8 October 2021, 02:25, Commercial Site, Mukuvisi Drive, Msasa – Control room received a report that there were intruders on site. A reaction team was dispatched. An unknown number of intruders were seen at the site draining fuel, the night guard saw them carrying several 5 litre containers. They fled the scene when the reaction team arrived. An incident report was done and sent to the client, Rhodesville police attended the scene.
8 October 2021, 09:44, Industrial Site, Paisley Road, Southerton – Two batteries for small trucks were stolen off of the site. The case was reported to ZRP Mbare.
12 October 2021, 00:49, Residential Site, Reigate Road, Highlands – An unknown number of intruders arrived on site and started cutting the electricity cables outside the premises. The resident heard the noise and pressed a panic button, and the response team was dispatched to the premises. The intruders had already fled the scene by the time the team arrived.
21 October 2021, 02:31, Residential Site, Timber Close, Mandara – An unknown number of intruders cut three electricity cables at the above site, causing an electric fence activation. The response team was dispatched and no losses were reported.
21 October 2021, Unknown Time, James Martin Avenue, Southerton – Six truck batteries were stolen off of the property. The batteries were discovered missing during the handover.
22 October 2021, 00:12, Foundary Road, Aspindale – Two employees were caught stealing 43kgs of ammonia nitrate and four boxes of gold dust. The two employees had conspired with external security guards on site. One of the guards fled and the other was arrested with the two employees. The apprehended were taken to ZRP Southerton.
28 October 2021, 02:33, Industrial Site, Borgward Road, Msasa – An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team arrive at 02:39, and discovered two Nissan Hardbodies had their bonnets open. Two batteries were confirmed stolen. The area where the vehicles were parked was not covered by an alarm and the vehicles were not locked. The intruders set off an alarm sensor when they went to a truck parked in an armed zone. The case was reported to Rhodesville Police.
Suspicious Activity
09 October 2021, 23:54, Residential Site, William Powlett, Hogarty Hill – The Safeguard response team was dispatched after a suspicious vehicle was reported on site. The client confronted the vehicle after calling the response team and the vehicle drove off.
10 October 2021, 22:30, Residential Site, Royal Crescent, Greendale – The Safeguard response team was dispatched after a client called the control room requesting assistance on behalf of a friend who is a non-client. Upon arrival, the response team was informed that the resident had heard gunshots but all was in order on site. The shots had been fired as warning shots by a resident along Coronation Avenue.
13 October 2021, 23:55, Residential Site, Harry Pichannick, and Basset Crescent, New Alexandra Park – The Safeguard mobile patrol team apprehended three suspects who were found loitering after curfew.
13 October 2021, 02:10, Residential Site, Arundel School Road, Mount Pleasant – The client called the control room requesting assistance on site. Upon arrival, the team discovered and apprehended a suspect who was throwing stones inside the client’s property. The suspect was taken to Marlborough Police Station.
16 October 2021, 22:41, Public Location, Churchill and Fleetwood Avenue, Alexandra Park – The mobile patrol team spotted a Volkswagen Polo parked outside after curfew. The incident was reported to the Avondale Police Station.
20 October 2021, 23:55, Public Location, Swan Drive and Hodson, Alexandra Park – The mobile patrol team apprehended an individual whom they found seated at the above location. The individual had a plastic bag with wet clothes and had no identification. He was taken to the Avondale Police Station and charged for violating curfew.
20 October 2021, 00:25, Public Location, Churchill Avenue, Alexandra Park – The mobile patrol team apprehended two suspects and handed them over to Avondale Police Station for violating curfew. The two alleged that they stay in Mount Pleasant but no clear reason was given for their presence at the above location.
20 October 2021, 02:15, Public Location, Second Street, Belgravia – Four male suspects were apprehended and handed over to Avondale Police Station for violating curfew.
23 October 2021, 23:30, Public Location, Churchill and Fleetwood, Alexandra Park – Two suspects were apprehended by the Safeguard mobile patrol team after they were found loitering in the vicinity. The two were taken to Avondale Police Station and charged for violating curfew.
24 October 2021, 19:25, Residential Site, Ridgeway South, Lewisham – A suspicious vehicle was spotted on-site by a patrolling guard. The incident was reported to the alarms control room and the response team was dispatched. The vehicle had fled the scene by the time the team arrived.
24 October 2021, 00:30, Public Location, Harry Pichannick and Basset Crescent, Alexandra Park – Two suspects were apprehended by the Safeguard mobile patrol team after they were found loitering in the vicinity. The two, who had no positive identification, were taken to Avondale Police Station and charged for violating curfew.
26 October 2021, 23:15, Public Location, Mt Pleasant Drive and College Drive, Alexandra Park – The Safeguard mobile patrol team arrested an individual who was found loitering in the area. The individual was taken to Avondale Police Station and charged for violating curfew.
27 October 2021, 22:20, Public Location, Arundel Road, Alexandra Park – The Safeguard mobile patrol team arrested an individual who was found loitering in the area. The individual was taken to Avondale Police Station.
29 October 2021, 00:12, Public Location, Churchill Avenue, Alexandra Park – The Safeguard mobile patrol team and police apprehended four individuals who were found suspiciously parked along Churchill Avenue. The individuals were found parked in an unregistered Toyota Wish.
30 October 2021, 23:34, Public Location, Churchill Avenue, Alexandra Park– The Safeguard mobile patrol team apprehended two suspects who were found loitering in the area after curfew.
BULAWAYO
Robbery
05 October 2021, 03:20, Industrial Site, Black and Nugget Road, Westondale – A guard manning the site was robbed. The intruders entered the premises through the back of the factory and damaged several doors and the alarm system. They proceeded to the safe and damaged it. It is undetermined what was stolen.
25 October 2021, 06:00, Public Area, Bon Accord Road, Steeldale – A detail on her way home from work was robbed by four suspects who offered her a lift. They stole her mobile phone and cash and assaulted her. The matter was reported to the police.
Break-in
01 October 2021, 22:26, Residential Site, Morning Close, Matsheumhlope – A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team took six minutes to respond and met the client who said the incident occurred whilst they were watching television. An unknown number of intruders gained entry into the premises through the bedroom window and took an undisclosed amount of money. Our alarm team approached the client with the idea of outside beams.
02 October 2021, 00:21, Residential Site, Coleen Road, Matsheumhlope – A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team took five minutes to respond. Upon arrival, they found a vandalised window by the kitchen. The burglar bars were cut, the intruders failed to gain entry as the client disturbed them. However, some kitchen utensils were stolen. The client was happy with Safeguard’s response. She only had a panic system, our team proposed a full house alarm system.
02 October 2021, 03:17, Residential Site, Marimba Road, Matsheumhlope – An alarm activation was received and a response team was dispatched, the team took seven minutes to arrive at the scene. The door was vandalised however nothing was stolen. The client was satisfied with Safeguard’s response. Her electric fence was not working and was advised to fix it to fortify her security.
03 October 2021, 09:15, Industrial Site, Wolverhampton Road, Donnington – The duty manager phoned the control room reporting a break-in at the site. No alarm activation was received. Intruders broke the asbestos at the Warehouse and vandalised the alarm system. It is unknown what was stolen as the client was away on business. It is believed that they were after money as high-value items such as laptops were left at the scene.
06 October 2021, Unknown time, Residential Site, Weir Avenue, Hillside – A phone call was made reporting a break-in at the address. Intruders gained entry by scaling the durawall and entered through the kitchen window. The intruders stole a flat-screen TV, a decoder and kitchen utensils. No signal was received as the alarm battery was flat. The client was advised to replace the battery and have an alarms system upgrade.
11 October 2021, 08:15, Commercial Site, Fife Street, City Centre – Upon opening the store in the morning it was discovered by the day guard that there was a break-in during the night. The premises have a 12-hour day guard but no night guard. Intruders gained entry through the roof. However, it is unknown how the intruders by-passed the sensors as no signal was received. A large sum of USD was stolen from the safe after intruders used grinders to open it.
19 October 2021, 04:22, Commercial Site, 12th Avenue, City Centre – An alarm activation was received and a response team was dispatched. The team arrived in six minutes and reported a break-in on site. It is believed that the intruders panicked when the alarm activated and fled the scene when the response team arrived. Nothing was reported stolen.
30 October 2021, 01:31, Residential Site, Valeview Road, Sunminghill – An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. Intruders gained access to the premises through the kitchen window and broke the burglar bars. ZRP Hillside attended the scene. Nothing was reported stolen.
Theft
01 October 2021, 00:40, Industrial Site, Blackrock Road, Thorngrove – A radio signal was received reporting a suspicious vehicle parked outside the premise. A reaction team was dispatched to aid the guard on site. The reaction team followed the suspicious vehicle whilst the guard on site performed a perimeter check and found that there were intruders on site. The intruders gained access through the back fence. They were found piling scrap metal to be taken off of the site. Our reaction team returned to the site to assist the guard and ZRP details were sent. The intruders fled and nothing was eventually stolen.
01 October 2021, Unknown Time, Industrial Site, Manchester Road, Belmont – An employee was apprehended after he attempted to steal stock from a factory. The accused was taken to Donnington Police Station.
MATABELELAND NORTH
Break-in
20 October 2021, Unknown Time, Commercial Site, Lupane – A phone call was received reporting that the alarm had activated on-site. Lupane Police attended the scene and discovered a break-in had occurred. Intruders entered through the roof. The intruders had only managed to remove the alarm battery. The alarm was later repaired.
27 October 2021, Unknown Time, Commercial Site, Tsholotsho – A break-in occurred at the premises, an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen.
MANICALAND
Break-in
8 October 2021, 02:17, Residential Site, Chaminuka Way, Greenside– An alarm was activated, and a response team was dispatched. The team checked and found a broken window with the louvres carefully removed. Nothing was reported missing. The client informed that she would put burglar bars on the window.
Theft
29 October 2021, 12:01, Base Station, Florida– A phone call was received reporting a break-in. One palisade bar was broken and twisted for the intruder/s to gain entry. 6 x 02 volt batteries were stolen and the main gate padlock was missing.
MASHONALAND EAST
Robbery
17 October 2021, 02:47, Residential Site, Mashonganyika Road, Goromonzi – The client pressed a panic button and the response team was dispatched to the site. Upon arrival, the team was informed that three masked intruders forced open a lounge window that has a wire mesh, and accessed the house. The intruders held up the client and assaulted him before rummaging through his bedroom looking for money. The intruders took some money from the premises and fled the scene. The client only managed to press the panic button after the intruders had fled the scene.
MASVINGO PROVINCE
Armed Robbery
11 October 2021, 15:30, Commercial and Retail Sites, Rutenga – Two male suspects entered a retail supermarket armed with two pistols and fired two warning shots before force marching two tellers to open the safe. The robbers forced the teller to open the safe upon which they took cash before turning to the till operators where they also took more cash. The suspects fled the scene in a stolen Toyota Probox.
MIDLANDS
Robbery
28 October 2021, 22:40, Industrial Site, Leeds Road, Nashville, Gweru – A driver was approached at the gate by a man armed with a knife. The driver was robbed of his cellphone and money. The suspect had run away by the time the guard got to the gate. The matter was reported to Gweru Central Police.