MONTHLY OVERVIEW
- In January 2022, the overall incidents reported to Safeguard decreased by 4%.
- With regards to the types of sites targeted, Safeguard has observed an increase incidents at Cellphone signal tower
stations and intrusions on residential properties as criminals target electricity cables.- Safeguard has managed to assist in the apprehension of criminals targeting Cellphone Signal Tower stations and electricity cables.
- In Harare, Mount Pleasant and Greystone Park are currently vulnerable areas followed by Borrowdale and Chisipite.
- Criminals continue to target businesses that keep money on site overnight, with Bulawayo reporting a number of incidents where cash offices were targeted.
- Looking at received incidents, residents who aren’t vigilant and also do not lock their residences are being targeted by
criminals. - In the past month, there were reports of criminals pretending to be police officers and targeting businesses in Msasa. Would be criminals, claiming to be police officers were also encountered in Borrowdale and Marlborough. Please be aware and always ask for Official ID. Decline entry if not sure.
NATIONWIDE AND HARARE CRIME STATS
CRIME BREAKDOWN BY MONTH
Security Advice
- Instruct employees and family members to never open up for strangers even if they state that they are police or health officials.
- Rather, request their names (and force number where relevant) and their subsequent police station or department and call or visit the employer to verify their authenticity. Deny entry if not sure.
- Make sure to lock your doors and close your windows at night.
- Make sure to trim overgrown trees and cut down any overgrown grass in your yard and outside your property.
- If possible, move from a security fence or panelled wall to a brick wall with top guarding as the former are easy to cut through.
- For prompt assistance, press your panic button if you hear any strange sounds in your property.
- Regularly test your panic button and alarm system to make sure that it is fully functional.
Outlook
Crime is likely to remain constant as criminals target batteries from vehicles, gates, and cellphone signal tower stations as well as money from people known to keep large amounts of money. As schools prepare to reopen, school administrators should avoid storing money on-site as this will attract robbers to the site.
With the extension of curfew to midnight, residents should be wary of individuals loitering near their premises especially late at night. Motorists should avoid traveling late at night as the bad roads and lack of street lights make motorists more prone to smash and grab incidents.
Thank you for using Safeguard.
JANUARY 2022 INCIDENT SUMMARIES
HARARE
Armed Robbery
31 January 2022, 02:47, Industrial Site, Barking Road, Willowvale: An alarm signal was received and a team was dispatched. After
a few minutes, a coordinator radioed the team for an outcome but no response was received. Another response team was dispatched. It was reported that six armed robbers scaled the wall and fired shots in the air. The robbers held up the guards on-site and attacked the first response team. The guards were assaulted and one of the guards was disarmed. The guards were assaulted before the intruders proceeded to break several glass doors and ransack the offices. The robbers were looking for the safe but failed to locate it. When coming out of the building the intruders met a non-Safeguard Reaction Team with one guard. He was tied up and assaulted. Glen Norah and Waterfalls Police were called to the scene to attend to the robbery. The robbers fled
the scene in a response vehicle but that was later recovered.
22 January 2022, 20:26, Residential Site, Blair Road, Borrowdale: A panic signal was received from the site and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team was informed by the client that two men armed with a pistol and crowbar entered the house through the main door and started demanding money. The men took three cellphones, some money and fled the scene. The client informed the team that the house alarm which is a stand-alone system was not yet armed when the incident occurred. The residence has a two-meter-high panelled security wall with an electric fence on top at the front of the premise and a diamond fence with a hedge at the back. It is suspected that the intruders accessed the premises from the back.
Robbery
06 January 2022, 02:13, Residential Site, Caravan Road, Emerald Hill: An alarm activated on-site and the response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team met the caretaker who informed them that six intruders had broken into his house and ordered him to keep quiet as the intruders stole electricity cables (3x100m worth). The intruders also stole some money from the caretaker and fled the scene in a grey Toyota Wish.
Break-in
31 January 2022, 04:28, Residential Site, Dawn Hill Road, Greendale: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, they were informed there were intruders on site. The intruder had jumped over a 2 metre plain panelled wall. The kitchen door had been forced open and the screen door lock was broken. The alarm sounded and the intruder ran away empty-handed. The client refused police involvement.
30 January 2022, Unknown Time, Commercial Site, Leopold Takawira Street, City Centre: Intruders scaled the wall, scaled onto the roof, and removed an iron sheet to enter the shop. Two cashboxes were emptied by the intruders. The amount lost is not yet known. The case was reported at ZRP Central.
28 January 2022, 03:02, Cellphone signal tower Station, Tafara Way, Tafara: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team noticed that two palisade bars were cut and one bar was cut off the generator cage. The fuel pipe of the generator was cut and spillages were seen on the ground. The case was reported to Mabvuku Police.
28 January 2022, 02:40, Cellphone signal tower Station, Mabvuku Drive, Mabvuku: A phone call was received requesting a response team and one was dispatched. The external guard on site said when he was patrolling he discovered that one palisade bar was cut and the pipe that connects the generator fuel tank was vandalised and fuel was leaking. No signal was received; the case was reported to Mabvuku Police.
28 January 2022, Unknown Time, Residential Site, Domboshava Road, Borrowdale: A phone call was received reporting a break-in from the previous night. Intruders broke the trellidor and stole an undisclosed amount of money. The site does not have an alarm system, only a panic button. The panic was not used as the client only discovered the break-in in the morning.
27 January 2022, 21:00, Cellphone signal tower Station, Glen View 6: A phone call was received and a response team was dispatched. Intruders cut one palisade bar and covered two cameras with a cloth. An external guard informed the team that the station was already broken into when he reported for duty. Another phone was received around 02:47 reporting that a suspicious vehicle, a Honda Fit had dropped two people off at the station. When the team arrived they arrested the driver of the vehicle and one of the two passengers, the other escaped.
26 January 2022, 04:41, Cellphone signal tower Station, Lanark Road, Avondale: An alarm and a video signal were received and a response team was dispatched. Our team arrived in eight minutes. The team apprehended one suspect whilst the other ran away with some containers. The intruders entered the property by jumping over the wall and twisted one bar of the generator cage. The suspect was taken to Avondale Police Station.
24 January 2022, 23:11, Residential Site, Kent Road, Chisipite: A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. They arrived at the scene within eight minutes. The team met the clients who said an intruder broke the dining room window with a broom but ran away. Nothing was stolen. The client has a stand-alone alarm system.
23 January 2022, 23:40, Commercial Site, Simon Mazorodze Road, Waterfalls: The control room was called requesting a reaction team as there was an attempted break-in. At the location, our team met an external guard who discovered that intruders pulled down the electric fence covering three-panel lengths but the rest remained intact. The intruders did not enter the Premises.
22 January 2022, 04:59, Cellphone signal tower Station, Crowborough Road, Kuwadzana: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team met an external security guard who said intruders broke one palisade bar but ran away when they saw the security guard. Nothing was stolen. Police and client were advised.
21 January 2022, 01:59, Cellphone signal tower Station, Nkwisi Gardens, Tynwald: A phone call was received and a response team was dispatched. The guard manning the site said there were intruders on site. Our team arrived and saw a car without number plates leaving the scene. The intruders had vandalised the battery cage leaving all the batteries exposed. The external security guard who ran away came back to the scene. The case was reported to the police. There was no CCTV camera facing the battery cage.
19 January 2022, Unknown Time, Residential Site, Harare Drive, Chisipite: A client called the response control team and reported that a gate motor battery and sensor had been stolen from her residence during the night. A response team was dispatched and upon arrival it was discovered that intruders had cut the razor wire on top of the panelled security wall to access the premise before stealing from the site.
18 January 2022, 00:14, Cellphone signal tower Station, Huxton Road, Waterfalls: An alarm signal was received and a reaction team arrived in nine minutes. Intruders had broken a palisade bar on the western side to enter the premises. A camera was twisted upwards. The generator cage and several cabinets were closed but not locked. A Waterfalls Police Officer attended the scene, the service provider was advised and an external security service provider was requested to deploy a guard to the scene.
17 January 2022, 23:29, Cellphone signal tower Station, Sanganai Inn, Dzivaresekwa: An alarm and video signal were received and our team arrived in 15 minutes due to heavy rain and bad roads on the way. On arrival, there was a black Toyota Wish with no number plates that drove off at high speed. The intruders had broken one palisade bar on the southwestern side, they broke the battery cage and forced open the cabinet door, and stole one battery. The stolen battery was recovered outside the base station. Two officers attended from Mabelreign Police and Econet were advised. The stolen battery was left at Mabelreign Police Station.
17 January 2022, 09:27, Cellphone signal tower Station, Matthew Rusike, Epworth: An alarm signal was received and a reaction team was dispatched. On arrival, no intruders were seen at the scene but the team discovered two palisade bars had been twisted. The client and ZRP were advised.
17 January 2022, 03:49, Cellphone signal tower Station, Takawira Ave, Dzivarasekwa 5: An alarm and video signals were received showing an intruder. There was no guard manning the contract. They gained entry by using the ZESA cage to jump over and twisted one palisade bar. They broke an underneath pipe to drain the fuel and left it leaking. The client was advised and a police officer attended the scene.
11 January 2022, 09:11, Cellphone signal tower Station, Glen View 3: An alarm signal was received and a response team arrived in ten minutes. The team met an eternal guard who said early that at around 02:00, an intruder gained entry through an unrepaired palisade bar. The intruders covered cameras with cloth and opened the tank to drain diesel. However, when the guard approached they fled the scene, leaving behind 6 x 25 litres empty containers and a 5m hosepipe. The case was reported to Glen View Police.
10 January 2022, 23:15, Cellphone signal tower Station, Hunyani Ave, Mabvuku: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. An unknown intruder entered inside by twisting one palisade bar facing the northern side which was broken previously and not welded back, the intruder covered one CCTV camera with a cloth. There was no guard manning the site when the break-in occurred. The external guard later resurfaced as the team was inspecting the scene.
10 January 2022, 02:48, Residential Site, Stratford Drive, Greystone Park: A client called the response control room and reported that there were intruders in her neighbour’s yard. Upon arrival, the team discovered that intruders cut through the razor wire, jumped the durawall, and proceeded to steal approximately 300m of electricity cables from the site. When the resident raised alarm, the intruders started pelting the house with stones and bricks and managed to break a window. The resident does not have an alarm on-site.
07 January 2022, 05:50, Residential Site, Coronation Avenue, Greendale: The client called the control room and reported a break-in on site. The client reported that intruders broke into his house and stole cellphones. The client does not have a comprehensive alarm system, just a help link therefore no signal was received.
07 January 2022, Unknown Time, Residential Site, The Chase, Mount Pleasant: A response team heard an alarm continuously sounding on site and decided to assist. Upon inspecting the site, the team discovered that intruders had removed a security wall panel and stolen the gate motor and battery. No alarm signal was received in the control room.
06 January 2022, 09:00, Residential Site, Wycombe Avenue, Groombridge: Intruders cut the electric fence and broke through the bedroom burglar bars. The intruders stole a purse with an undisclosed amount of money and fled the scene. The client pressed the panic button upon discovering the break in the next morning.
Theft
24 January 2022, 07:36, Residential Site, Fordham Avenue, Greencroft: An alarm signal was received and a response team was sent. Our team arrived in eight minutes. Our team met the client who informed them intruders stole a sewer lid and two pairs of shoes. The system did not sound. There was no sign of forced entry as the perimeter wall is short with no razor wire or electric fence. The client requested additional alarm sensors to be installed at her premises.
24 January 2022: 02:20, Residential Site, Ard na Lea, The Grange: A response team was dispatched after a resident called the response control room and reported that there were intruders in her yard. Upon arrival, it was discovered that thieves had cut the electricity cables outside the premise.
24 January 2022, 02:08, Public Location, Northwood Rise, Northwood: A patrolling response team picked up a bag of clothes as they were patrolling. It is suspected the bag had been dropped by thieves once they saw the team approaching. The bag was handed over to the Marlborough Police Station.
22 January 2022, 23:10, Public Location, Churchill and Fleetwood Roads, Alexandra Park: A mobile patrol team arrested two individuals after they were found carrying a stolen copper fireplace. The individuals had stolen the fireplace from their employer. The two were handed over to Avondale Police Station and charged with theft.
22 January 2022, 04:09, Residential Site, Grafton Road, Greystone Park: An alarm signal was received from the site and a response team was dispatched to the site. Upon arrival, the team discovered that thieves had cut the electricity cables. Approximately 40kgs of cables were found hidden in the grass. An internal guard was on site and it is suspected that the thieves had been picked up by the outside sensors.
22 January 2022, Unknown Time, Residential Site, Cuba and Fairbairn Avenue, Mount Pleasant: Two clients called the response
control room and reported that electricity cables had been stolen at their premises.
20 January 2022, 01:04, Residential Site, Lindrew Close, Highlands: A panic signal was received from the site and the response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team was informed by the client that an intruder opened an unlocked sliding door and stole a cellphone from his bedroom. The intruder proceeded into the spare bedroom but fled the scene when the occupant, a female, screamed. The site is secured by a 1.5m high brick wall with no top guarding.
20 January 2022, 04:00, Residential Site, Drew Road, Chisipite: A phone call was received around 05:50 reporting that intruders stole a gate sensor and removed the gate from its rail. The client presumes the incident occurred around 04:00 but no signal was received. Our team attended the scene along with a police officer from Highlands Police.
19 January 2022, 03:02, Residential Site, Palmer Road, Milton Park: A response team was dispatched after an alarm signal was received on site. Upon arrival, the team and client inspected the yard and it was discovered that thieves had stolen 200m of electricity cables outside the property.
18 January 2022, Unknown Time, Business Premise, Borrowdale Road, Borrowdale: An internal guard reported that two iron bars had been stolen from the premises during the night. The theft was discovered during the handover takeover in the morning.
13 January 2022, 03:34, Residential Site, Stratford Drive, Greystone Park: The client activated his Safeguard APP after he saw intruders in his yard. A response team was dispatched and upon arrival, it was discovered that criminals had stolen 100m of cable. The same site was targeted on the 10th of January 2022.
13 January 2022, 02:42, Residential Site, Langdale Drive, Quinnington: The client pressed her panic button after she heard a noise outside her yard. A response team was dispatched and upon arrival, the team discovered that intruders had attempted to remove the transformer oil and copper but left the scene empty-handed.
10 January 2022, 02:48, Residential Site, Stratford Drive, Greystone Park: The client called the control room and informed the controller that thieves stole three electricity cables. The thieves also threw a brick at one of the house windows.
04 January 2022, Unknown Time, Residential Site, The Chase, Mount Pleasant: An unknown number of suspects stole an intercom from the premise during the night. The theft was discovered during the handover of duties.
Intrusion
19 January 2022, 02:59, Residential Site, Eastern Road, Greendale: An alarm was activated, and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team was informed that the client heard intruders in the yard. Intruders had accessed the premise through an undisclosed access point and vandalised two gate lights and a car park motion sensor.
16 January 2022, 23:08, Residential Site, Luna and Crowhill Road, Borrowdale: A non-client called the control room because her alarm was sounding. The response team was dispatched and upon arrival, the resident informed them that she suspected intruders inside the yard. Checks were done and no signs of loss or break-in were reported. The client does not have a response service.
14 January 2022, 02:22, Residential Site, Halford Road, Greystone Park: A neighbourhood watch guard pressed his panic button and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the guards handed over a suspect whom they arrested after they found him jumping into several properties. When the suspect was handed over to the police, the police informed the team that the suspect would only be charged if the property owners filed a complaint.
10 January 2022, 01:32, Residential Site, Unit L Extension, Chitungwiza: A phone call was received reporting intruders. A response team was dispatched. The client narrated that intruders were in the yard and were assumed to be after the generator. The intruders fled the scene when the client woke up. Nothing was reported stolen, no break-in occurred. The panic button was pressed multiple times but no signal was received. Client to test Signals regularly. Technicians were advised.
09 January 2022, 05:04, Residential Site, Davids Way Bluffhill: The client called the control room requesting a response team as he suspected intruders on site. Upon arrival, it was discovered that the dog had been poisoned. No losses were reported. The client has a stand-alone system and the outside alarm is not radio linked.
BULAWAYO
Armed Robbery
05 January 2022, 00:50, Retail Site, Bulawayo CBD: An unknown number of intruders broke through the front door causing the alarm to activate. An alarm was activated and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival five minutes later, the intruders started shooting at the team. The team fled the scene in a vehicle of an undisclosed make and colour as the backup was arriving on site. The intruders fled the site with clothing worth an undisclosed amount of money.
Break-In
31 January 2022, Unknown Time, Retail Site, Herbert Chitepo, and 13th Avenue, Raylton: The client called the control room and informed the controller that intruders entered the premises by making a hole in the wall. The intruders proceeded to break a window and grinded a safe that only had documents. Two laptops were stolen from the site and the cameras were vandalised. There is no night guard on site.
31 January 2022, 16:30m Industrial Site, Steel Works Road, Steeldale: A guard on site reported that a break-in had occurred on site. The target area was in a blind spot and the camera facing the area had been offline for several months. The targeted section is manned by an external guarding company.
24 January 2022, 03:11, Residential Site, George Silundika Avenue, Bulawayo CBD: An alarm was activated on-site and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team discovered that an unknown number of intruders attempted to force open a window but fled when the alarm activated.
18 January 2022, 09:35, Retail Site, 9th Avenue and George Silundika, Bulawayo CBD: An unknown number of intruders forced down a panel, accessed the premises, and fished out a number of t-shirts before fleeing the scene. It is alleged that the intruder fished out the shirts from a window. No alarm activation was received.
18 January 2022, 09:15, Recreational Facility, Cecil Avenue, Khumalo: The control room received a call informing them of a break-in on site. An unknown number of intruders used a bolt-cutter to cut through the burglar bars and stole some alcohol, snacks, and kitchen utensils. The alarm is currently suspended and thus did not activate for the response team to attend.
16 January 2022, Unknown Time, Business Premise, Belmont: An intruder entered the building through the toilet window and sawed off the bottom part of the door to avoid magnetic contact. The intruder proceeded to the main office and removed a cash box. The intruder proceeded to use a crowbar to force open a small safe and removed an undisclosed amount of money from the safe. The alarm was vandalised and the intruder fled the scene with the money and a DVR. The break-in was discovered the next morning.
07 January 2022, Unknown Time, Retail Site, Lobengula Street, Makokoba: An unknown number of intruders forced open the door and stole money from the till drawers. The alarm did not activate as it is faulty. Alarm Service and testing must be done.
05 January 2022, Unknown Time, Business Premise, 14th Avenue and George Silundika, Bulawayo CBD: The client called the control room and informed the controller that a break-in had occurred on site. An intruder broke in through the roof, disabled the alarm, and signalled other intruders to access the premise through the back office. The intruder only unplugged the alarm system and left the rest. The intruders failed to cut through one safe but managed to cut through another and removed an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the scene.
Intruder
09 January 2022, 00:24, Commercial Site, Plumtree Road, Belmont: A response team was dispatched after a panic signal was received from the site. Upon arrival, the team reported that an intruder had scaled over the durawall into the premise but was met by alert guards who apprehended him. The intruder was taken to the police.
Theft
30 January 2022, 02:44, Industrial Site, Josiah Chinamano Road, Belmont: An alarm signal was received from the site and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team saw an intruder fleeing the scene with a container. The team conducted checks with the external guards and discovered that one of the trucks on-site had been drained of fuel.
MATABELELAND NORTH
Break-In
02 January 2022, 01:20, Industrial Site, Hwange: An alert guard spotted a man trespassing on site. The guard arrested him for trespassing and the man informed him he was looking for his friends. The man was handed over to the police where he was released on the grounds that he was drunk and lost.
Theft
04 January 2022, 04:20, Industrial Site, Hwange: Intruders accessed the premise and stole 1.3 metres of copper cable from the site.
MANICALAND
Robbery
01 January 2022, 01:26, Residential Site, Eleventh Avenue, Morningside: A client pressed the panic signal after the on-site caretaker was assaulted by intruders. The intruders accessed the premises by breaking through a bottom part of the fence. No losses were reported.
Break-In
19 January 2022, 06:00, Industrial Site, St Hellens Drive, Nyakamete: A guard on site reported that 5kg of soya beans were stolen from a locker on-site.
10 January 2022, 10:50, Cellphone signal tower Station, Feruka: An alarm activation was received and a response team was dispatched. Intruders cut the palisade bar and forced open the generator. The generator battery and an undisclosed amount of fuel.
Theft
25 January 2022, Unknown Time, Retail Site, Liverpool Road, Nyakamete: During the stocktake, employees discovered that 100 boxes of stock had been stolen from the warehouse. No signs of forced entry were reported. A nearby tuckshop owner is suspected to have been part of the theft as he is apparently selling stock using the same packaging. When the client and security officer attempted to file a report, a police officer informed them that a docket could not be opened as there was no accountability on the movement of stock.
24 January 2022, 21:40, Residential Site, George Silundika Road, Mutare: A patrolling guard was informed by a client that an intruder had entered the house through an unlocked door and stole a significant amount of money from the house.
04 January 2022, 14:34, Residential Site, Spenser Avenue, Fairbridge Park: A client pressed a panic button after he saw some suspects stealing copper cables outside the residence. The police were informed and raided the place. Warning shots were fired and the individuals jumped into the client’s yard. All the suspects were arrested.
MIDLANDS
GWERU
Break-in
18 January 2022, Unknown Time, Cellphone signal tower Station, Mkoba: The client called the control room and reported a break-in on site. An unknown number of intruders broke through the palisade bars and opened the generator door but no losses were reported. No alarm activation signal was received from the site.
Intrusion
30 January 2022. Mine, Gweru: An alert guard fired a warning shot after he saw three intruders on-site advancing towards him. The intruders fled the scene, no losses or injuries were reported.
09 January 2022, 12:00, Mine, Gweru: Two intruders snuck onto the site and started panning for gold. The mining shaft collapsed and one artisanal miner was trapped inside the shaft. A search was conducted for the missing individual whilst the other individual was arrested.
Theft
08 January 2022, Unknown Time, Retail Site, Gweru: An alert female guard arrested a shoplifter after she found her in the possession of concealed skincare products, footwear, and clothing worth a significant amount of money.
KWEKWE
Break-In
13 January 2022, Unknown Time, Cellphone signal tower Station, Mbizo: An unknown number of suspects forcibly entered the site and drained a significant amount of diesel from the base station generator.
MASVINGO
Break-In
28 January 2022, 00:48, Cellphone signal tower Station, Chitsanga: The control room received a call and was informed that a technician saw intruders fleeing the base station when he was attending to the site. Nothing was stolen from the site. The site is guarded by an external guard.
22 January 2022, 02:30, Transport and Logistics, Chiredzi: Intruders accessed the premises and attempted to steal fuel from the generator. An alert guard heard the noise and raised alarm. The intruders only managed to escape with the padlock but no fuel was stolen.
20 January 2022, 01:33, Retail Site, Masvingo City Centre: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team discovered that intruders had broken into the site and stolen an undisclosed amount of goods.
11 January 2022, 02:25, Training Centre, Mwenezi: An intruder jumped over the fence and attempted to attack the guard posted on site. The guard sprayed the intruder with his OC spray and raised alarm. The intruder fled the scene and no losses were reported on site.