MONTHLY OVERVIEW
- In March 2022, violent crime has remained high, with the use of firearms and machetes reported by the ZRP.
- Crimes within Safeguard have been decreasing since January 2022.
- In the past month, a number of people had their firearms stolen during robberies. Most recently a man had a revolver
stolen from his car in Mbare. - Criminals continue to target individuals known to have large amounts of money, with safes being the most commonly
targeted at business premises. - Since the beginning of the year, residential areas have been vulnerable sites for robberies as many businesses are found
in suburban areas and people tend to keep money at home. - The theft of vehicles has been on the increase in the past months. People who offer lifts to hitchhikers have been the
most frequently targeted, especially in Mashonaland West and the Norton area. - There was been reports from the ZRP of the involvement of women in criminal incidents.
- In Harare, Mount Pleasant, Msasa, and Graniteside were the most active regarding crime, whilst in Bulawayo,
Westondale, Suburbs, Woodlands, and the City Centre reported the most incidents.
NATIONWIDE AND HARARE CRIME STATS
CRIME BREAKDOWN BY MONTH
Security Advice
- Even if you have a safe, do not keep large amounts of money on site during the day and overnight. Close individuals or internal employees continue to sell information of money on site to criminals.
- In March many safes were either stolen from the premise or were opened with a grinder.
- In March many break ins occurred whilst people had not armed their alarm, ensure to arm your alarm every night. If it is malfunctioning, please call for our technicians to come and assist.
- Avoid offering lifts to strangers especially in busy areas and on the outskirts of town.
- Do not park outside any residence or premise when possible. Do not leave valuables in the car, ensure all windows are closed and the vehicle is locked when left unattended and whilst driving.
- Drive with doors locked and windows rolled most of the way up. When entering or exiting the premise, residents should avoid waiting outside the premise for too long. Rather, have the gate remote ready of call someone to open the gate as you approach the premise.
- Do not underestimate strangers, criminals involve women and senior citizens to scout an area as most people would not be suspicious of them.
- Avoid walking or jogging alone late at night or in the evening. Rather, walk in groups or pairs.
Outlook
The theft of vehicles is likely to remain an issue unless significant arrests are made. Motorists are urged to be vigilant and drive with their doors locked regardless of the time. Manned parking lots are also safer to park in and motorists should avoid leaving their vehicles unlocked or with goods on the seats.
As the Easter holidays approach, we encourage that those residents who are travelling speak to their neighbours and local Neighbourhood Watch groups and inform them that they are away so that neighbours can be wary of suspicious noises and people near other’s houses. We encourage the use of the panic button if you are suspicious of any activity in your area. If you are travelling during the Easter period ensure a panic button is left with the caretaker, domestic worker or guard on site.
Thank you for using Safeguard.
MARCH 2022 INCIDENT SUMMARIES
HARARE
Robbery
07 March 2022, 03:25, Industrial Site, Coventry Road, Workington – The client called the control room and requesting a response team to be dispatched to the site. Upon arrival, the team met with private guards and a truck driver. The employees reported that four intruders had entered the site through the back after smashing through the panelled wall using iron bars. The intruders attacked the employees and handcuffed them before breaking the door leading to the main factory. The intruders entered the offices and managed to blow open two safes of which one safe, the larger one, was empty. An undisclosed amount of money was taken from the smaller safe before the intruders attempted to break open another wall safe in another office. The offices were vandalised and the intruders fled the scene.
19 March 2022, 04:46, Industrial Site, Ventersburg, Ruwa – A guard raised the control room and informed the controller that three intruders who were armed with undisclosed weapons held him up and dragged him to the back of the premise. The intruders stole two truck batteries and fled the scene.
19 March 2022, 23:40, Commercial Site, Renfrew Road, Eastlea – A phone call was received requesting a response team to the site. Our team arrived in three minutes. Highlands Police who were on patrols attended the scene when they saw our team reacting. Our team met the key holder and care taker at the premises. At around 19:00 5 intruders cut the electric fence and scaled into the backyard. The attacked the caretaker with iron bars and forced him to open the offices where they ransacked the area and stole a cash box containing a significant amount of US Dollars. The caretaker was taken for treatment by Ace Ambulance. The alarm was not armed at the time.
21 March 2022, 11:56, Industrial Site, Coventry Road, Workington – A guard reported that intruders entered the premise pretending to be customers. The intruders snatched a bag from a customer who was exiting the premise and fled the scene.
24 March 2022, 02:29, Commercial Site, Enterprise Road, Highlands – A phone call was made by the key holder requesting for a response team. Around 23:00 the caretaker arrived at the premises with some family members. They were surrounded by six robbers who were already at the premises. One was armed with a pistol. They were ordered the caretaker and his family to lie down whilst the intruders went through the premises. They stole a small safe off of the property that contained a significant amount of US dollars. The larger safe was left untouched. The thieves also stole the caretaker’s family member’s car, a silver Mercedes Benz compressor. Highlands Police attended the scene. No alarm signal was received as the alarm was not armed. The keyholder said he was not arming it as it was faulty.
25 March 2022, 23:34, Industrial Site, Whites Way, Msasa – An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched to the site. The response team (with two responders) reported to the control room that robbers were on site. The police were sent for from the alarms base. When the response team driver was contacted again, he reported that the gate had been opened by a private guard who let the response team in. A fake private guard assisted one of the responders to check the premise. When the responder asked how many guards on site, the fake guard pulled out a pistol and ordered the responder to crawl under a lorry. The responder managed to escape and ran to the vehicle and drove a distance and alerted the control room of the events. The private guard later reported that the robbers had fled the scene. The second responder had managed to escape after he struck one of the robbers with an axe handle. The second responder then sought refuge at a site manned by Safeguard raised the security control room and informed them of the events. A second response team arrived with the police and the site was inspected. The private guard reported that the robbers failed to break into the offices after he pressed his panic which sounded the alarm. He was struck on the shoulder with an unknown object and the robbers fled with his jacket and the panic button. The robbers left behind a pair of gloves and a Safeguard baseball cap.
29 March 2022, 11:35, School, 2nd Street, Mount Pleasant – A yellow Honda fit was stolen from the premise by two men who threatened the driver with violence. The vehicle was seen and reported in robberies around Harare and the vehicle was later dumped along Bishop Gaul Avenue.
Suspicious Activity
3 March 2022, 02:00, Residential Site, Pevensey Road, Highlands – A guard in the area reported a suspicious woman along the road, she appeared confused. Our response team and police attended. The woman refused to move. The police assumed she was mentally ill and left her.
Intruders
10 March 2022, 04:00, Commercial Site, Kelvin Close, Graniteside – A detail on site raised to control room that there was an intruder on site. The intruder gained access by cutting the razor wire on the eastern side and proceeded to the worker’s locker room where he stole some employee bags. The intruder was spotted by the guard and left the scene empty-handed, leaving behind the bags, a hammer, and his sandals. The incident was reported to Graniteside Police.
14 March 2022, 22:39, Commercial Site, Harare Drive, Greystone Park – The night guard called in reporting intruders on site. Intruders charged towards the guard armed with logs. The dog scared away the intruders. The client who was in the other building triggered the alarm and a team was sent.
23 March 2022, Intruders, Residential Site, Bishop Gaul Avenue, Belvedere – A phone call was received requesting a response to the client’s other property which is not covered by our services. Our team met the caretaker who said he suspected intruders as he heard noises in the yard. The team checked and everything appeared in order.
24 March 2022, 02:51, Residential Site, Samson Close, Mount Pleasant – An alarm signal was received and a team was dispatched. Our team met the client who said intruders twisted a camera by the gate. Nothing was reported stolen.
30 March 2022, 01:31, Industrial Site, Conald Road, Graniteside – An alarm activated and a response team were dispatched. Intruders cut 6 strands of electric fence. Nothing was reported stolen.
Theft
05 March 2022, 04:30, Industrial Site, Sande Crescent, Graniteside – A hand held radio and a cellphone were stolen from the premise. The devices were on the charger when they were stolen. No signs of forced entry were reported. Guard on site.
15 March 2022, 08:30, Business Premise, Telford Road, Graniteside – An employee was apprehended after he stole a blazer that was meant for disposal.
17 March 2022, 03:06, Commercial Site, Churchill Avenue, Alexandra Park – A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. Our team met an external guard who said he pressed the panic button when he saw an intruder jumping out of the contract. That is when he discovered the gate motor had been stolen. Avondale police attended the scene. The site is a standalone system.
28 March 2022, 02:13, Residential Site, Palmer Road, Milton Park – A panic signal was received and a response team were dispatched. The team met the client who informed them the gate motor was stolen. Upon checking our team recovered the motor which had been dropped in the yard.
29 March 2022, 01:30, Commercial Site, Ventersburg Road, Sunway City – Intruders cut 9 strands of electric fence, broke the mesh fence, and siphoned fuel from one of the lorries parked in the yard.
Break-in
06 March 2022, 21:50, Base Station, Matthew Rusike, Epworth – An alarm signal was received from the site and a response team was dispatched to the site. Upon arrival, the team discovered that intruders had broken the palisade bars and proceeded to twist the camera and cover it with cloth. No fuel spillages were seen. The external security guard who was supposed to be manning the site reported that he had been in some nearby classrooms when the incident occurred.
06 March 2022, 07:41, Base Station, Ganges Road, Ridgeview – An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team discovered that ten metres armoured cable, three metres flexing cable and a camera had been stolen from the site.
06 March 2022, 04:52, Base Station, Mutamba Drive, Mufakose – An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team discovered that intruders had broken through the palisade bars using pliers. A hose pipe and pliers were recovered on site. Losses are yet to be confirmed but no spillages were seen on site.
09 March 2022, 02:19, Base Station, Sunningdale – An alarm and a videofied signal were received and a response team was dispatched. There was no guard manning the contract. Upon checking, the team noted intruders twisted a palisade bar on the western side of the booster. Inside there were no fuel spillages and all appeared intact. The Service Provider was advised and an external guard was deployed.
10 March 2022, 03:32, Commercial Site, Whites Way, Msasa – An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival our team discovered intruders broke into the building through the main door which was left ajar. A manager confirmed nothing appeared stolen. The intruders also destroyed the panelled wall at the back of the property.
17 March 2022, 05:32, Residential Site, Shiri Drive, Greendale – A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. On arrival our team met with the client who informed them that around 04:00 intruders broke the kitchen window burglar bars and forced open the door. Nothing was stolen. The alarm was not armed at the time.
18 March 2022, 05:30, Residential Site, Balfour Road, Greendale – A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The client reported around midnight intruders broke the kitchen window and entered the house. They stole 2 cellphones, 1 laptop, and a safe box.
23 March 2022, Unknown Time, Dhlela Way, Graniteside – A guard reported that an intruder cut the electric fence and attempted to tamper with a vehicle. The alarm activated and the intruder fled the scene.
24 March 2022, 02:17, Residential Site, Twickenham Drive, Mount Pleasant (Non-Client) – A panic signal was received from a client on Moss Close requesting a response team sent to the house behind her property on Twickenham Drive as she heard a noise and was afraid the intruders would jump into her property. Our team met the resident at Twickenham Drive who informed them intruders broke the kitchen window and cut the burglar bars. The intruders got inside the house, damaged the passage door, and stole a laptop and phone from a spare bedroom. The resident locked himself in the bathroom during the incident. Marlborough Police attended the scene.
25 March 2022, 01:31, Business Premise, Whites Way, Msasa – An alarm signal was received from the site and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team discovered that intruders had removed a durawall panel. No losses were reported on site.
25 March 2022, 08:21, Commercial Site, Edmonds Avenue, Belvedere – A phone call was received reporting a break in. Intruders gained access through a fallen wall. They forced open the kitchen door and stole a safe containing cash. The alarm was not armed. The case was reported to Milton Park Police.
25 March 2022, 19:22, Industrial Site, Mutare Road, Msasa – A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team was informed by the private guard that he had seen intruders siphoning diesel from a truck. The intruders fled the scene with about 40 litres of diesel. The intruders left the truck leaking diesel as they had made a hole under the truck.
26 March 2022, 01:25, Industrial Site, Ventersburg Road, Sunway City – A guard monitoring panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team was informed by the guard that intruders cut the electric fence and scaled over the durawall. The intruders siphoned an undisclosed amount of diesel from a truck and fled the scene. A police officer was uplifted from Mabvuku Police Station and attended the scene.
28 March 2022, 02:23, Base Station, Hatfield – An alarm activation was received and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team discovered that a palisade bar had been twisted. A drum with a glue-like liquid had been left inside. No losses were reported.
BULAWAYO
Robbery
19 March 2022, 06:00, Commercial site, Silver Crescent, Kelvin West – Five armed intruders broke the durawall and entered the premises. They stole a battery from a vehicle parked on site and robbed the two guards on site.
Theft
02 March 2022, Unknown Time, Residential Complex, First Street, Suburbs – During patrols, a guard was encountered by a resident who said her water pump had been stolen. It is unknown when the incident happened as the resident had been away.
9 March 2022, Unknown Time, Industrial Site, Steelworks Road, Westondale – The client phoned in to report that a significant number of axes had been stolen off of the site. The client did not want police involvement. The matter is being investigated internally.
24 March 2022, Unknown Time, Commercial Site, Main Street, City Centre – A car was brought in for a service, and had a Samsung tablet stolen from the vehicle.
26 March 2022, Unknown Time, Educational Site, Livingstone Road, Makokoba – 2.7 metres of electricity cables were stolen from the site. ZRP and Zesa advised.
28 March 2022, Unknown Time, Industrial Site, Steel Works Road, Westondale – The vehicle was left parked at the premises for 4 days. The car radio was stolen during this time. The incident was reported to the police.
Intruders
07 March 2022, 02:00, Commercial Site, Welbeck Road, Thorngrove – A guard manning a property saw intruders near his premises. They targeted a neighbouring property with the intention to drain fuel. They were disturbed by the alarm activation and left behind an empty 20 litre fuel container, and a few tools including a 1m metal pipe. The police and our response team attended the scene.
14 March 2022, 10:58, Residential Site, Chipping Way, Burnside – An alarm signal was received and a response team were dispatched. The client was not at home when the incident happened. The neighbour reported that she had seen an intruder inside the premises who fled on the arrival of the reaction team. The intruder removed the a window pane that had been removed in a previous break-in but this time the window had sensors and the alarm activated. Our team searched the scene and recovered a bag, a knife and some other items that were left behind by the intruder.
Break-in
07 March 2022, 06:33, Commercial Site, Bristol Road, Belmont – A panic signal was received and a reaction team was dispatched. An unknown number of intruders broke through the roof and stole 4 cellphones, 2 chargers and 1 CPU. The premise has an alarm system but it was malfunctioning and did not activate. The case is being investigated by ZRP Donnington.
11 March 2022, 12:45, Residential Site, Lawley Road, Suburbs – A phone call was received reporting a break-in and a response team were dispatched. Intruder cut the electric fence, used a crow bar to break the kitchen window and stole 4 bottles of whiskey. ZRP Khumalo attended the scene.
14 March 2022, Unknown Time, Industrial Site, Khami Road, Mpopoma – A break-in was reported at the premise. Intruders broke into the safe and took several cash boxes. No alarm activation was received. Investigations are in progress.
14 March 2022, Unknown Time, Commercial Site, Robert Mugabe Way, City Centre – A phone call was received reporting a break-in and a response team was dispatched. An unknown number of intruders scaled the panelled wall covered in razor wire. They broke two burglar bars and entered the building. They used a grinder to open the safe however there was no money inside. The CCTV VCR was vandalised and stolen. The office has numerous sensors but none of them triggered the alarm.
16 March 2022, Unknown Time, Educational Site, Wychwood Road, Woodlands – An alarm signal was dispatched and a team was sent. The intruders broke the main door and triggered the alarm when trying to open the second door they triggered the alarm. As they were fleeing the scene they saw our reaction team arriving and hid in the tall grass. When the team got out of the vehicle they pounced and stole the guard’s cellphones, a tablet and ZWL cash. ZRP Khumalo attended the scene.
18 March 2022, 03:00, Residential Site, St Lawrence Avenue, Parklands – A phone call was received and a response team were dispatched. An intruder forced open the front door however came face to face with the client. The client heard a noise, turned on some lights. The intruder was startled and fled the scene. The intruder left behind an iron bar.
18 March 2022, Unknown time, Educational Site, Livingstone Road, Woodlands – A break-in occurred at the site however it is unknown when it occurred. An intruder gained access into a room by scaling the plumbing pipes and stole a laptop, a cellphone and an iPad.
MIDLANDS
Robbery
21 March 2022, 02:00, Industrial Site, Coventry Road, Gweru – A guard was held up and tied up by intruders before they proceeded to force open the main entrance. The intruders stole an undisclosed amount of goods and force-marched the guard to another site.
Break-in
17 March 2022, 03:00, Retail Site, 6th Street, City Centre – The client called the control room and reported that there had been a break-in on site. An unknown number of intruders broke into the building and stole an undisclosed number of cellphones. No alarm signal was not received from the site.
21 March 2022, 02:15, Industrial Site, Gweru – A guard was force marched onto the site and left tied as the intruders broke into the building. The intruders broke the safe and stole an undisclosed amount of money.
24 March 2022, 01:28, Industrial Site, Mandela Way, Kwekwe – An alarm signal was received and a response vehicle was dispatched. An unknown number of intruders broke into the building and stole 4 laptops. The incident was reported to Kwekwe Central Police Station.
MANICALAND
Robbery
3 March 2022, 18:35, Refugee Camp, Chipinge – An armed robbery occurred 15km from the camp. An unknown number of intruders armed with an AK-47 rifle, beat up and axed some people at the scene. Police and National Parks attended with sniffer dogs. The intruders were not located. Guards on site were requested to make updates every 30 minutes.
Theft
8 March 2022, 15:00, Commercial Site, Herbert Chitepo Street, City Centre – A phone call was received from the store manager reporting a theft from the site. A woman and a man came in wanting to buy a perfume, whilst an employee went to enquire the price, the duo fled the scene with the perfume.
Intruder
11 March 2022, 04:33, Commercial Site, Independence Avenue, Palmerstone – A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. Intruders cut a burglar bar, they entered an empty room. They fled the scene and nothing was reported stolen.
Break-in
4 March 2022, 04:31, Residential Site, Falcon Close, Greenside – The client called control room requesting a response team as a window had been broken by intruders. The intruders ran away and nothing was reported stolen. The client refused police involvement. The alarm did not activate.
25 March 2022, 08:15, Commercial Site, Jameson Street, City Centre – A phone call was received reporting a break-in. An unknown number of intruders forcibly entered the building, vandalised the alarm system, used a grinder to open the safe, and stole an undisclosed amount of cash.
30 March 2022, 20:14, Business Site, George Silundika Road, Palmerston – An intruder entered the property stole a HP Laptop. The case was reported to the ZRP.