MONTHLY OVERVIEW
- Crime increased by 12% in the past month with burglaries increasing by 33% from 27 to 36.
- Gratuitous violence remains a cause for concern. (Probably a result of financial pressures and poor access to mental health care).
- In Midlands, cellular signal base stations were the most frequently targeted.
- Safeguard guards reported incidents of unknown persons parking outside residential premises in the late evenings and citing vehicle breakdown problems. Criminals often park outside premises to either scout or ambush their victims.
- Vehicle theft and theft from vehicles remain prevalent nationwide.
- Criminals continue to target electricity and telephone cables.
- In the past month, a majority of crime incidents occurred between 00:00 and 04:00.
- According to the reports received last month, a number of successful break-ins were prevented by the presence of an alert guardian and the sounding of an alarm.
- Though only a few incidents were reported to Safeguard in the past month, criminals are targeting poorly secured offices to target office equipment.
NATIONWIDE AND HARARE CRIME STATS
CRIME BREAKDOWN BY MONTH
Security Alert
Harare, Mukuvisi Woodlands – A suspicious vehicle, a red Fun Cargo was seen parked outside a premise. When the guard approached the occupants of the vehicle, they informed the guard that they were waiting to be jump-started, before they sped off.
Harare, Ballantyne Park – A patrolling guard reported that a silver Toyota Gaia was parked outside the premise at 00:36. When the driver was approached, he reported that he had run out of fuel.
Harare, Alexandra Park – A guard on site reported that at 01:00 in the morning, a person arrived on-site and requested to see the client. The guard raised the control room and a response team was dispatched as it was late. When the team arrived, they saw a black Volkswagen and a Range Rover and met with a woman who identified herself as Sarah. The occupants left when the response team arrived, even though they insisted that the client was expecting them.
Avondale Shopping Centre – At 22:46, a guard on site reported that three men tried to withdraw money from the automatic teller machine (ATM) using a card that is not affiliated with the respective bank. The guard told them to stop what they were doing and they complied. At this point, the guard then saw that one of the men had a pistol in his pocket. The guard had then raised control and a response team was dispatched to pick up the police. When the team arrived, the trio had left the scene.
Harare, Mount Pleasant – A guard on site reported that three men arrived on site at 20:00 and stated that they wanted to make a payment. They told the guard that they had been instructed to come after hours. The guard was suspicious of the men and instructed them to come back in the morning.
Security Advice
- Employees should always be encouraged to lock their offices even if they are leaving for a short period.
- When setting up an office, always ensure that high-value goods, especially portable ones are far from the windows.
- Sites with large and busy parking lots should consider employing a manned guard in the parking lots and installing cameras to monitor the lots.
- Residents should ensure that they leave their homes in the hands of trustworthy and capable guardians. Residents should also ensure caretakers have panic buttons.
- Avoid deserted streets and always ensure that you are aware of your surroundings.
- Young children should always be escorted to and from school and older children are encouraged to walk in groups.
Outlook
Given the increased cost of living and other aggravating factors such as the shortage of reliable transport and reports of increased use of illicit drugs, crime is likely to increase and manifest in various forms.
Thus far, robbery, murder, and assault are the most common serious crimes when analysing the incidents reported by the police.
As the nights get darker and longer, break ins are also likely to increase and criminals will take advantage of sites without functioning alarm systems.
Common robberies are likely to increase in poorly lit areas as criminals target hitchhikers and pedestrians walking alone late at night or in the early mornings.
Thank you for using Safeguard
APRIL 2022 INCIDENT SUMMARIES
HARARE
Robbery
22 April 2022, 19:00, Public Location, Sunway City, Harare – The control room received a call that an employee had been attacked by robbers whilst he was on his way home. The robbers stole the employees bicycle, wallet and personal belongings.
15 April 2022, 19:33, Residential Site, St Brelades Close, Ballantyne Park – An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched to the site. Upon arrival, the team was informed by the client that a man in overalls had walked into the lounge through a door that was unlocked at the time, armed with a catapult and bolt cutter. The man demanded money from the client and took the client’s cellphone, panic button and some cash. The client managed the press the panic button on the key pad after the intruder left. The phone was recovered in the yard. The site has a 3m high brick wall without top guarding. The client refused to make a police report.
06 April 2022, 04:35, Public Location, Mbare – An employee reported that she was attacked by robbers on her way to work. The robbers stole her phone, handbag, and other personal belongings.
Shots Fired
11 April 2022, 00:57, Residential Site, Sawley Way, Marlborough – A response team was requested as shots were heard in the area. The shots were allegedly fired to scare intruders away. Marlborough Police was advised.
Break-In
26 April 2022, Unknown Time, Residential Site, Yarmouth Road, The Grange – Intruders cut the barbed wire on top of the security wall but failed to remove anything from the premise.
26 April 2022, 02:56, Residential Site, Wretham Road, Ashbrittle – A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. Intruders cut 6 strands of electric fence, forced open the lounge window, and twisted the burglar bars. The intruder was picked up by a sensor and the alarm was activated. They ran away empty handed.
25 April 2022, 04:18, Residential Site, Arcturus Road, Highlands – A phone call was received requesting a response team. Intruders broke the burglar bars for the lounge and bathroom windows which were left open. They ran away when the client woke up after he heard some noises.
25 April 2022, 02:14, Residential Site, Keswick Close, Greendale – A phone call was received requesting a response team as their dogs were barking non-stop. Upon checking our team found footprints in the yard but no sign of intruders. They ran away due to the dogs barking.
24 April 2022, 00:59, Residential Site, Milford Road, Waterfalls – A response team was dispatched after an alarm signal was received from the premise. Upon arrival, the team met with the client and discovered that intruders had tampered with the outside sensor in an attempt to break into the premise.
24 April 2022, 20:23, Industrial Site, Coventry Road, Workington – Alert private guards pressed a panic button after they were informed by a driver on site that there were intruders on site. A response team was dispatched and upon arrival, the team recovered two drums hidden in a nearby bush. The intruders most likely dumped the drums as they fled the scene.
23 April 2022, 00:52, Residential Site, Aberdeen Road, Avondale – A phone call was received requesting a response team. Intruders entered the yard by scaling the wall. They entered the house through the front lounge door which was unlocked. They stole two computers, a toaster, and a decoder. They ran away when the dogs started to bark. The alarm was not armed.
20 April 2022, 04:02, Residential Site, Gazelle Road, Mandara – Intruders jumped over the perimeter wall and forced open a kitchen door. The intruders stole a cellphone, television, speakers, and some money from the premise. There is an electrical fault in the area and the alarm was off at the time.
19 April 2022, 23:17, Base Station, Mandara – A guard manning the site reported to control that there were intruders on site. A response team was dispatched and upon arrival, the team discovered that intruders had cut the palisade bars and siphoned fuel from the generator. The team searched the surrounding areas and recovered 22 containers of fuel. The client was advised of the incident and a report was made to the police. The base station does not have an alarm.
17 April 2022, Unknown Time, Residential Site, Coucal Drive, Mandara – An employee on-site approached a parked response vehicle and informed the team that the residence he stays at had been broken into. Intruders forced open the main door and stole an undisclosed amount of property when the employee was away attending a funeral.
17 April 2022, Unknown Time, Residential Site, Sawley Way, Marlborough – A Safeguard employee received a message that a break-in had occurred at the above address. Intruders forced open the main door and cut through the burglar bars but failed to remove anything from the premise. The client had pressed the panic button but no signal was received.
16 April 2022, 18:52, Residential Site, Queensgate Road, Northwood – A response team was dispatched after an alarm signal was received from the site. Upon arrival, the team discovered that the residents were away and that intruders had broken through a bedroom window after accessing the premise through a gap in the durawall. The electric fence was not working at the time the incident occurred.
16 April 2022, Unknown Time, Service Station, Cripps Road, Graniteside – A guard on-site apprehended a drunkard who had forced his way into the cash office.
13 April 2022, 01:11, Residential Site, Prue Close, Athlone – A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. Intruders had cut the electric fence which was not working, scaled the durawall, and entered the property. They proceeded to the dining room and bent the burglar bars. Once inside the house, they opened a spare room door but this alerted the dogs and the intruders ran away empty-handed. The client refused police involvement.
12 April 2022, Unknown Time, Residential Site, Newton Spicer, Highlands – A response team was dispatched after an intruder attempted to jump into the premise. An alert guard from a neighbouring site informed the guard after he saw the same suspect running through the site he was guarding and gave chase.
11 April 2022, 03:10, Residential Site, Taumina Road, Marlborough – A panic signal was received. An intruder entered two houses on the property. Nothing appeared stolen. Police involvement was refused.
10 April 2022, Unknown Time, Residential Site, Newton Spicer, Highlands – A guard on site raised the control room and reported that there were individuals throwing stones into the premise. The intruders fled the scene when the response team arrived.
09 April 2022, 12:28, Residential Site, Newton Spicer, Highlands – A response team was dispatched after a panic signal was received from the site. Upon arrival, the team met with the client who informed the team that intruders had accessed the premise. A search of the premise resulted in the team discovering a number of household goods that belonged to the client.
09 April 2022, 03:00, Industrial Site, Shepperton Road, Graniteside – The guards on site raised the control room after they saw that intruders had cut the electric fence. A response team was dispatched but the intruders had fled the scene. No losses were reported.
08 April 2022, 07:42, Residential Site, Rossal Road, Greendale – A fence signal was received and a team was dispatched. A resident in one of the flats confirmed they had a laptop and bag stolen. However, there were no visible signs of a break in.
08 April 2022, 18:00, Educational Institution, Fisher Avenue, Colray – A guard on site reported that suspects driving a commuter omnibus broke into a vehicle parked on site and stole some undisclosed items.
06 April 2022, 02:45, Residential Site, 70th Avenue, Haig Park – An alarm was activated, and a response team was dispatched. A car parked in the garage had its back window broken into. Nothing appeared stolen.
04 April 2022, 05:50, Industrial Site, Kelvin Road, Graniteside – A guard on site reported that intruders had forced open the outside door and rummaged through the file cabinets.
03 April 2022, 00:36, Residential Site, Ridgeview Drive, Sentosa – An electric fence signal was received and a response team was dispatched. Upon checking one strand of the fence was cut. The intruders ran away when the alarm sounded.
02 April 2022, 03:02, Residential Site, Sawley Way, Marlborough – A phone call was received requesting for a reaction team as there were intruders trying to break in. The team the client who informed them intruders broke the kitchen window, broke the burglar bars, and got inside. The dogs barked and alerted the intruders and they ran away empty-handed. The alarm was not armed at the time.
01 April 2022, 02:12, Residential Site, Coronation Avenue, Greendale – An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team met the caretaker who informed them that an intruder broke the burglar bars and got inside through a dining room window. The intruder triggered the alarm once inside and ran away empty handed. Rhodesville Police attended the scene. The premise has no outside sensors.
Theft
28 April 2022, Unknown Time, Residential Site, Dacombe Road, Chisipite – A client reported that he suspected that fuel was stolen from the generator overnight.
27 April 2022, 00:00, Residential Site, Wayhill East Lane, Umwinsidale – A guard on site raised the control room after she noticed individuals loading bricks from a neighbouring site onto their vehicle. When the guard approached the individuals, the individuals drove off.
22 April 2022, 13:23, Business Premise, Telford Road, Graniteside – A guard on site reported that an unknown person arrived on site and requested to be directed to an office on site. The person then went to the accounts office instead of the office he had requested. Thirty minutes later, an employee reported that a laptop had been stolen from the accounts whilst he was away during lunch.
20 April 2022, 02:40, Public Location, Wavell Close, Greendale – An alarm signal was received from the site and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team discovered that four electricity cables had been cut.
17 April 2022, Unknown Time, Religious Centre, Basset Crescent, Alexandra Park – A female suspect snuck onto the premise and stole a handbag from one of the parishioners. The suspect was arrested but later released at the parishioner’s request.
17 April 2022, Unknown Time, Retail Site, Robson Manyika, Harare City Centre – A vendor caused a disturbance on site after he accused one of the employees on site of stealing his colleague’s wallet. The vendor was taken to the police.
16 April 2022, 02:30, Residential Site, Oatlands Road, Quinnington – Cable thieves attempted to steal electricity cables outside the premise.
15 April 2022, 23:56, Public Location, Brooks Drive, Hillside – An alarm was activated at the telephone cables, and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team saw a thief on site. The thief fled the scene upon seeing the response team.
14 April 2022, 03:09, Residential Site, Alveston Avenue/ Harare Drive, Greystone Park – A phone call was received reporting a suspicious vehicle in the area with men suspected to be armed. Upon arrival, no car was seen. Once on Harare Drive, the team met a client reporting that there were copper cable thieves in the area. The team spoke to the caretaker who informed them that he was hit by a stone when he went to investigate a strange noise outside. The team discovered 5 x 100m of copper cables were stolen from the area. ZRP were advised.
13 April 2022, 02:40, Residential Site, Clyde Road, Eastlea – A phone call was received and a response team was dispatched. The team met the client who said he was away all day and when he arrived home noticed the pedestrian gate was open. The intruders had vandalised the lock to open it. Once inside they cut the lock of the gate motor but failed and left empty handed.
12 April 2022, 03:21, Commercial Site, Kennedy Drive, Greendale – A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. An intruder broke and removed one middle durawall panel from the front of the yard. The gate motor cage was tampered with, but the gate motor was not stolen. A lorry driver who was sleeping in his vehicle parked in the yard heard the noise and alerted the caretaker by hooting. Nothing was stolen. The case was reported to Rhodesville Police.
11 April 2022, 05:25, Public Location, Jason Moyo, Harare City Centre – An employee reported that an individual approached him from behind, grabbed the tool bag on his bike, and fled the scene.
09 April 2022, 06:30, Residential Site, Langdale Drive, Quinnington – A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The panic was pressed by the night guard who suspected that copper cables were stolen as there was a power cut in the area. Upon checking it was confirmed that 200m of cables were stolen.
03 April 2022, 00:36, Residential Site, Ridgeview Drive, Sentosa – An electric fence signal was received and a response team was dispatched. Upon checking one strand of the fence was cut. The intruders ran away when the alarm sounded.
04 April 2022, 16:00, Educational Institution, Basset Crescent, Alexandra Park – An employee on site reported that her laptop and handbag were stolen on site.
01 April 2022, 04:33, Retail Site, Zengeza – A guard on site reported that an intruder had stolen some equipment from his bag.
01 April 2022, Unknown Time, Residential Site, Eastcourt Road, Belvedere – A panic signal was received at 07:54. The client informed her gate motor had been stolen during the night. The area is not covered by an alarm system.
01 April 2022, 02:44, Residential Site, Highlands – An phone call was received and a response team was dispatched. The team met the client who informed them her gardener saw intruders jumping out of the contract. She found her Honda Fit which was parked in the driveway with its doors open. Highlands Police attended the scene. Nothing appeared stolen.
BULAWAYO
Armed Robbery
28 April 2022, 14:00, Educational Institution, Chelmsford Road, Matsheumhlope – A suspect wearing grey and white trousers and a surgical mask entered the building armed with a greyish weapon. The suspect held an employee at gunpoint and demanded money. The suspect was given an undisclosed amount of money and fled the scene.
28 April 2022, 05:15, Business Premise, Silver Crescent, Kelvin West – Five armed intruders held up the two night guards before breaking into the offices. The intruders used a grinder to open the outer safe and used a key to open a smaller safe that was inside. The intruders stole an undisclosed amount of money, leather material, and a battery from a vehicle they broke into.
Robbery
05 April 2022, Unknown Time, Public Location, Northend – A guard reported that he was approached by men carrying a machete, an axe, and a knife as he was walking home. The men dragged the guard into a bush and assaulted him before robbing him of his house keys, some money, and a cellphone.
Break-In
17 April 2022, 08:10, Residential Site, Heyman Road, Suburbs – The client called the control room and reported a break in on site. A response team was dispatched and they reported that intruders cut the electric fence and jumped into the yard. The intruders proceeded to steal a wheel barrow, a hose pipe and groceries from a cupboard.
16 April 2022, 04:00, Residential Site, Pingstone Road, Khumalo – Intruders broke through the main door and tried to open the dining-room door. The alarm activated and the intruders fled the scene empty-handed. The alarm sensor was vandalised before the intruders fled the scene.
14 April 2022, 01:21, Residential Site, Cardwell Road, Matsheumhlope – An electric fence alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team discovered that intruders had cut the electric fence but fled the scene empty handed when the alarm triggered.
13 April 2022, 01:22, Repair Shop, Main Street, Makokoba – Intruders broke the padlocks and tried to enter the ceiling through a hole that was in the ceiling from previous wind damage. The alarm triggered and a response team was dispatched. No losses were reported as the intruder fled the scene when the alarm activated.
09 April 2022, 04:59, Residential Site, Carnavon Road, Hillside – A panic signal was received from the premise and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team discovered that an intruder forced open the main door and took the money and a cellphone from a bedroom.
02 April 2022, 04:18, Business Premise, Entumbane – The guard on-site raised the control room and informed them that a door had been opened. A response team was dispatched and upon arrival, they discovered that a camera had been removed.
01 April 2022, 02:00, Business Premise, 3rd, and 4th Avenue, Bulawayo City Centre – An alarm activated after an intruder attempted to force open the door. A response team was dispatched but the intruder had fled the scene when the alarm activated, no losses were reported.
01 April 2022, Unknown Time, Residential Site, Edenfield Road, Matsheumhlope – An alarm signal was received after intruders forced open the door. A response team was dispatched to the site and upon arrival, the team discovered that the intruders had fled the scene empty-handed when the alarm activated. There was a caretaker on-site when the incident occurred.
Theft
28 April 2022, 08:00, Religious Institution, Netherby Drive, Paddonhurst – A day guard reported that 48 water taps had been stolen from the laundry rooms on site. It is unclear when the theft occurred.
22 April 2022, 23:30, Industrial Site, Steelworks Road, Kelvin – During patrols, a guard found an employee consuming manufactured products on site. The employee admitted to the theft and implicated other employees who were also stealing from the premise.
08 April 2022, Unknown Time, Residential Site, Duncan Road, Suburbs – A hose pipe was reported stolen from the premise.
MANICALAND
Break-In
19 April 2022, Unknown Time, Residential Site, Bvumba Road, Morningside – An unknown number of intruders forcibly entered the premise and stole jewellery, a cellphone, an I-pod, plugs and chargers, clothing, and footwear from the premise. The occupants of the premise where not at home when the incident occurred.
09 April 2022, 00:48, Retail Site, Second Street – An alarm was activated on-site and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team met with the client and checked the property. It was discovered that intruders had cut through the roof and stolen an undisclosed amount of cellphones from one of the tenant’s offices.
Theft
08 April 2022, Unknown Time, Industrial Site, Felice Avenue, Mutare – The client called the control room and reported that ten boxes of tiles had been stolen from a vehicle parked on site. The intruders cut open the truck tent and stole the tiles whilst the driver was sleeping inside the vehicle. Investigations also revealed that the theft occurred in transit. The vehicle was parked outside the site and there is no guard outside the premise.
MASHONALAND EAST
Break-In
25 April 2022, Unknown Time, Medical Facility, De Jagger Road, Marondera – An intruder forced open a window, deformed the burglar bars, and fished out a central processing unit (CPU) and a screen monitor from the premise.
MASVINGO
Armed Robbery
11 April 2022, 19:40, Residential Site, Rutenga – Seven armed suspects forcibly entered a local businessman’s residence and demanded money from the businessman. Upon hearing the commotion, the private security guard on-site jumped over the security wall and fired a warning shot from the neighbouring site, and called the police. The robbers immediately fled the premise with one of the businessman’s vehicles and damaged the electric gate and security wall as they fled the premise. The vehicle was later recovered at a shop that the robbers had also targeted.
MATABELELAND NORTH
18 April 2022, 18:00, Industrial Site, Crackley Lane, Victoria Falls – A guard raised the control room and reported that during the handover taker he discovered a container of 50 litres of fuel hidden in a bush. The guard approached an internal employee and started asking him about the hidden container. The employee started apologising to the guard before he fled the scene empty-handed. The employee later returned and spoke to the client.
MIDLANDS
Armed Robbery
07 April 2022, 22:41, Residential Site, North Gate Heights, Gweru – The control room received a panic signal from the site and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team met with the client who informed them that armed intruders had attacked the guard on site. The guard was not hurt and no losses were reported on site.
Break in
26 April 2022, Unknown Time, Base Station, Kwekwe – The client called the control room and informed them that intruders had stolen diesel from the site.
24 April 2022, 02:39, Residential Site, Athlone, Gweru – An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. An intruder forced open the door and stole a laptop from the premise.
24 April 2022, 01:04, Retail Site, Lobengula Street, Gweru – An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team discovered that the key had been broken and that the door had been forced open. Intruders took cellphones and a laptop from the premise and fled the scene.
23 April 2022, 09:45, Base Station, Mkoba, Gweru – An alarm signal was received after intruders forced open the palisade bars and attempted to steal diesel from the premise.
18 April 2022, 14:42, Base Station, Mkoba, Gweru – An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team discovered that intruders had damaged the palisade bars and accessed the generator.
08 April 2022, 21:30, Industrial Site, Gweru – A guard on-site raised the control room and informed them that a battery had been stolen on site. It is suspected that the employees that were on-site may have stolen the battery as they did not comply with the procedure to stay in the canteen when the power went out.
03 April 2022, Unknown Time, Business Premise, Gweru – The client called the control room and informed the controller that there had been a break in on site. Intruders stole an undisclosed amount of property from the premise, no alarm activation was received.
02 April 2022, Unknown Time, Base Station, Mkoba: A technician called the control room and informed them that intruders had stolen an undisclosed amount of diesel from the base station. The base station is not monitored by Safeguard.