MONTHLY OVERVIEW
- Reported crime incidents decreased in the past month. A significant arrest and recovery of property was recorded by Safeguard following a shoot out in New Ardbennie earlier in April.
- The risk of robbery and break ins remains prevalent at business and industrial sites that store money on site or have safes. In both March and April 2023, a Bulawayo fastfood outlet was robbed during the night whilst employees were on site, that criminals may be increasingly targeting fastfood outlets in Bulawayo.
- A non-client resident was stabbed and robbed outside her residence in Ruwa.
- Break in incidents appear to be on the increase in Highlands. Increased criminal activity, was also reported in Shurugwi.
- Reports of fuel theft at non client sites remains prevalent with criminals targeting fuel in vehicles. Mines are also being increasingly targeted for ore.
- In a number of incidents, criminals took advantage of power outages to steal from residential sites.
- Vehicles parked oustide premises were vulnerable to theft from vehicle incidents. In Budiriro, residents have also reported incidents of theft from vehicles in common or shared parking spaces.
- The roof was increasingly used as an access point during break ins at business sites.
TOTAL MONTHLY REPORTED INCIDENTS
MONTHLY CRIME BREAKDOWN
FREQUENTLY TARGETED ITEMS
HIGH RISK AREAS
SECURITY ADVICE
- Ensure that sites have sufficient guards overnight. Caretakers and guards should be equipped with panic buttons.
- Employees should be vigilant when working on site overnight and when closing shop.
- Install sensors in car parks and at gate motors. For businesses, it is important that secure parking spots areidentified for vehicles that park onsite overnight.
- Be wary of and do not ignore frequent alarm activations as criminals may be testing your reaction or the response team arrival time.
- Do not exit your house to inspect suspicious noises, rather wait for a response team to do so.
- Power outages increase the risk of criminals targeting a premise. Be wary of any suspicious noises and keep your panic button close.
- Review your close circuit television camera coverage on site. Ensure that cameras are working at tills, entrances, cash offices, entrances and storerooms/warehouses.
- Always lock your doors and arm your alarm in the early evenings – residents should rather sleep with their bedrooms doors locked (and keep the key in the keyhole) to prevent intrusion in the event of a break in.
- Equip employees in the far flung areas with the numbers of reliable police contacts, especially if there is no reliable response service in the area.
OUTLOOK
Thank you for using Safeguard.
The Safeguard Team
CRIME SUMMARY TABLE
HARARE
Armed Robbery
16 April 2023, 2330, Business Site, Boshoff Drive, Sunningdale: Two armed robbers attacked a Safeguard guard and a private guard and tied them up after taking their security equipment. The robbers then opened to unlock the pedestrian gate and six more robbers entered the site. The robbers forced their way into the building and ransacked the offices. An electric grinder was used to cut open two safes whilst keys were used to open several other safes. The robbers fled the scene with a white briefcase and informed the guards that they had not found any money on site.
10 April 2023, 0216, Industrial Site, Spurrier Road, New Ardbennie: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched to the site. On arrival, the response team pressed its panic after it was attacked by the robbers who fired a warning shot. The robbers who were nine in number broke into the offices and stole some money from two safes. A Quick Reaction Force (QRF) team was dispatched to the site whilst another response team was dispatched to pick up police officers. The QRF team arrived on site and a shootout ensued between the QRF team and armed robbers. One of the robbers was fatally shot and the remaining robbers fled the scene. Two QRF members were injured after one was shot in the back and the other was struck with a hammer in the groin. Both team members were rushed to the hospital and are recovering well. The police managed to recover some money from the dead armed robber.
06 April 2023, 0030, Business Site, Whites Way, Msasa: A panic signal was received from the site and a response team was dispatched. On arrival, the response team did not respond and a QRF team was sent to check on the response team along with a backup response team. The back response team encountered armed robbers fleeing the scene driving the first response team vehicle. The armed robbers fired two shots at the back up response team and managed to deflate a rear left wheel. The QRF team arrived and pursued the armed robbers and fired two shots at the robbers. The armed robbers dumped the vehicle along Robert Mugabe Avenue and Glenara Avenue and fled the scene. Police officers were also despatched to the scene. The guards on site later reported that six armed robbers armed with firearms and grinders forced their way onto the site at 0030 and held up the guards. The robbers broke down three doors and stole three laptops which were later recovered at the main door. No losses were reported on site.
Break In
30 April 2023, 1509, Business Site, Kelvin Road, Graniteside: A panic signal was received from the site and a response team was dispatched. On arrival, the response team met with a private guard who reported that he had seen an intruder. The intruder attempted to steal six iron car parts but dropped them when he saw the guard. The response team checked the site but the intruder had already fled the scene.
25 April 2023, 0154, Business Site, Kenny Road, Avondale: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched to the site. On arrival, the response team reported that an unknown number of intruders gained entry into the site from the north eastern side of the perimeter where they broke a 2.5-metre plastered panel security wall. The intruders proceeded into the main building where they used a hand axe to cut the kitchen window burglar bar and twisted it up. The intruders tried to break the burglar bar at the accounts office window but failed. The intruders managed to steal a fire extinguisher that was left in the yard, no other property from the building was reported stolen.
23 April 2023, 1544, Residential Site, Newton Spicer, Highlands: An alarm signal was received in the control room and the client was called to enquire about the alarm signal. The client reported that there had been a break in on site. A response team was dispatched and the team also uplifted the police as per the client’s request. On arrival, the response team reported that the clients had left the country leaving the alarm system unarmed. The clients discovered the break in on their return. Unknown intruders scaled over the southern security wall and forced entry through the client’s bedroom window. The intruders stole clothes, boots and a gold bracelet.
23 April 2023, 0030, Residential Site, Hamilton Close, Glen Lorne: A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. On arrival, the client reported that there was a break in on site. The client reported that a 5Kv generator was stolen on site by an unknown number of intruders. The intruders reportedly created a hole in the fence to gain entry. The intruders proceeded to the garage where they stole the generator and fled the scene through the fence.
20 April 2023, Unknown Time. Business Site, Kelvin North Road, Graniteside: A client called the control room and reported that intruders broke two upstairs windows and damaged the roof to access the shop. The intruders stole some money which was in a till. No alarm signal was received when the incident occurred.
18 April 2023, 0328, Business Site, Rossal Road, Greendale: An alarm signal was received from the site and a response team was dispatched to the site. On arrival, the response team reported that all was in order. It was later reported by the client that intruders had cut the razor wire and that a window had been broken. No losses were reported.
18 April 2023, Unknown Time, Residential Site, Arcturus Road, Highlands: A client called the control room and reported that four laptops, a cellphone and money which was in a handbag were stolen on site. Intruders reportedly jumped over the brick wall and forced open the dining room window. The intruders entered the client’s bedroom through an unlocked door and stole the items. The client did not hear the intruders. The cellphone was later recovered in Mabvuku after police received information to track the device.
16 April 2023, Unknown Time, Business Site, Princess Drive, Highlands: A client sent a message to the response control room and reported that intruders broke into one of the offices and stole two laptops and some money. The alarm was not working as the site had not had power for three days.
14 April 2023, Unknown Time, Business Site, Westlea: A client called the control room and reported that an unlocked gate had been tampered with and that intruders had stolen three gas tanks with 139kgs of gas. No alarm signal was received from the site.
14 April 2023, 0230, Residential Site, Inverary Road, Pomona: An electric fence signal was received and the client was called to inquire about the activation. The client reported that it was probably a false alarm. The next morning, the client reported that intruders had cut the razor wire and attempted to steal the gate motor.
11 April 2023, Undisclosed Time, Industrial Site, Gleneagles Road, Willowvale: The control room received a report from the client that there was a battery missing on site. The battery was last seen in February 2023 when the machine was parked. No further details were given.
11 April 2023, Unknown Time, Business Site, Robert Mugabe Road, Harare City Centre: Control room received a phone call from the client who reported that there had been a break in onsite. An unknown number of intruders used an unknown object to break into the client’s office and stole two screw drivers, a cutter and two litres of a non-alcoholic beverage. The response team attended the scene and confirmed that no alarm was activated since the battery was flat.
11 April 2023, 0140, Business Site, Leopold Takawira Street, Harare City Centre: Control room received a panic signal at and a response team was dispatched. On arrival, the team checked the area and reported that an unknown number of intruders had removed the roof asbestos and broken the ceiling to gain entry into the building. The client is yet to disclose the items stolen.
11 April 2023, 0800 Hrs, Business Site, Phillips Avenue, Belgravia: Control room received a call from a client who reported a break in on site. The response team attended the scene and uplifted Avondale police on their way. On arrival, the response team reported that an unknown number of intruders opened the ladies’ toilet to gain entry into the building and proceeded into the cashier’s office where they ransacked the office and took some money and an iPhone.
11 April 2023, Unknown Time, Cellphone Tower Station, Pomona: A client called the control room and reported that intruders had broken into the site. The intruders cut the razor wire, bent a palisade bar and but failed to remove anything from the site.
03 April 2023, Unknown Time, Business Site, Kelvin North Road, Graniteside: A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched to the site. On arrival, the response team met with a private guard who reported that he noticed an open workshop door when he reported for duty. The response team checked the workshop with the private guard as he suspected a break in had taken place. The keyholder is yet to disclose the loss.
Theft
23 April 2023, 1618, Network Cables, Domboshava Road, Philadelphia: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. On arrival, the response team reported that five metres of cable had been cut. The private guard who mans the area reported that she had not seen anyone cut the cables.
21 April 2023, 0306, Residential Site, Taunton Road, Mandara: The control room was raised by the guard manning the site and received a report that the solar lights at the site had gone off at 0306. The response team was dispatched and upon arrival, the team reported that the poles supporting the solar lights had been tilted and that two solar panels were missing.
21 April 2023, 1331, Residential Site, Miller Road, Borrowdale: A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. On arrival, the clients reported that they had been followed by a suspicious vehicle, and upon approaching their gate, a suspect grabbed one of the client’s phone, handbag, panic button, and car keys. The suspects drove off in a Honda Fit vehicle. When the response team was dispatched the suspects had already fled the scene.
21 April 2023, Unknown Time, Industrial Site, Salford Road, Southerton: A client reported that some money had been stolen from a vehicle parked on site. CCTV playbacks revealed that no one had approached the vehicle on site. The site has guards.
21 April 2023, 1839, Public Location, Norman Road, Mandara: Two suspects attempted to steal Safeguard banners from the location.
12 April 2023, 0136, Network Cables, Wichendon, Philadelphia: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. On arrival, the response team discovered that a 2x 3 meters cable from the Philadelphia manhole was cut and stolen. *The Winchendon area is a high risk area for cable theft as well as break ins in the surrounding area.
09 April 2023, 0100, Residential Site, Broomfield Road, Greendale: The control room received a call from the client who reported that three septic manhole covers had been stolen on site. The client heard a noise and saw three intruders in the yard and opened the door to check on what was happening. The intruders then jumped the security wall and disappeared. The response team reported that there are no motion sensors in the area in which the theft took place.
08 April 2023, 0550, Residential Site, Wigtown, Avondale: The control room received a report from the guard manning the site that the letter box had been stolen.
06 April 2023, Unknown Time, Industrial Site, Gleneagles Road, Willowvale: A client reported that a battery was stolen from a machine on site. The site has a guard but no alarm.
02 April 2023, Unknown Time, Residential Site, Downie Avenue, Alexandra Park: A report was received that an undisclosed amount of fuel was stolen from a non-client site.
BULAWAYO
Armed Robbery
29 April 2023, 0120, Fast Food Outlet, Eighth Avenue And Jason Moyo Street, Bulawayo: Two armed intruders wearing work suits and balaclavas attacked two private security guards on site. The intruders who were armed with two pistols and a knife, threatened to kill the guards and a chef who was on site and handcuffed them. The intruders demanded the safe keys and attempted to grind open a safe. Some money was taken from one of the smaller safes and the intruders fled the scene. The alarm system was not armed at the time of the incident and the guard failed to promptly press the panic button which had fallen at his feet. The guard managed to press the panic at 0440 and a response team was dispatched to the site.
Break In
28 April 2023, 0430 Hrs, Residential Site, Harwich Road, Matsheumhlope: The control room received a call from the client and received a report of a break in on site. A response team was dispatched and on arrival, the team discovered that an unknown number of intruders had broken an aluminium window to enter the house. The clients heard the noise and woke up. The response team reported that the intruders may have been looking for money but could not find it. The client reported that the alarm system was not armed as there was a power cut when the incident took place.
28 April 2023, 2140, Cellphone Tower Station, Bellevue: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. On arrival, the response team reported a break in and managed to recover four batteries that had been stolen. The intruders had fled the scene when the alarm activated.
24 April 2023, 0704, Residential Site, St Giles Avenue, Parklands: A panic signal was received from the site and a response team was dispatched. On arrival, the team discovered that the intruders gained entry by jumping over a wall which had no electric fence or razor wire. The intruders proceeded to the house and broke a window and got into the house but did not steal anything.
24 April 2023, 0358, Residential Site, Fletcher Avenue, Khumalo: A panic signal was received from the site and a response team was dispatched to the site. On arrival, the response team reported that there had been an attempted break in. The client reported that intruders broke the lounge door waking up the residents. The client saw some people fleeing the scene. No losses were reported on site.
22 April 2023, 0440, Residential Site, Catness Road, Hillside: A guard raised the control room and reported that he had heard some footsteps on site. The guard checked the site and saw an intruder carrying a satchel trying to open an office window. The intruder fled the scene and jumped over the durawall when he saw the guard.
21 April 2023, 0420, Residential Site, Glencoe: A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched to site. On arrival, the client reported to the response team that an intruder had broken into the house. The intruder used bolt cutters to break the burglar bars and ransacked the house. The intruder stole money from a purse and fled the scene.
19 April 2023, 2024, Business Site, Plumtree Road, Bulawayo: A guard heard a noise at the gate and went to investigate. On checking the entrance, the guard saw an intruder attempting to open a car parked on site. When the intruder failed to provide a satisfactory answer as to why he was trying to open the car, the guard arrested him. A
response team was dispatched to the site to transport the intruder to the police. No losses were reported on site. 18 April 2023, 2341, Educational Institution, Pumula South Street, Pumula South: The control room received a call from the client who requested a response team on site. A response team was dispatched and on arrival, the team
reported that a private guard had arrested an intruder he had seen jumping over the fence into the school yard. It was later revealed that the intruder is a destitute man who was looking for a place to sleep. No losses were reported on site.
16 April 2023, 0243, Business Site, Leopold Takawira and Lobengula Street, Bulawayo: An alarm signal was received from the site and a response team was dispatched. On arrival, the response team reported that intruders had used bolt-cutters to break open the door and stole various clothes and one plate stoves from the site. The alarm activated after the incident happened.
09 April 2023, 1825, Business Site, Birmingham Road, Belmont: A client called the control room and reported that there had been a break in on site. CCTV playback revealed that three intruders broke into a warehouse after breaking through the roof. The intruders who had covered themselves with blankets approached the cameras and twisted them up. The intruders proceeded to remove portable radios and boxes of batteries which were taken out through the roof. The alarm activated but the night guard informed the response team that he had not seen any intruders.
07 April 2023, 1326, Business Site, Jason Moyo Street, Bulawayo: A suspect was apprehended by the guard after he was found in possession of food stuffs stolen from the kitchen.
07 April 2023, 2300, Residential Site, Valeview Road, Riverside: A panic signal was received from the site and a response team was dispatched. On arrival, the response team met with the client who reported that intruders had attempted to break into the house unaware that the residents were still awake. The intruders broke the bottom hinge of the half front door before fleeing the scene when the residents reacted. No guard on site.
06 April 2023, 0430, Business Site, Gwanda Road, Woodlands: A guard raised the control room and reported that he had apprehended two suspects on site. The suspects were taken to the police, no losses were reported on site.
Theft
30 April 2023, 0100, Industrial Site, Basch Street, Makokoba: A driver that was parked outside the site reported that tarpaulin, a complete spare wheel set and four vehicle batteries were stolen from his truck. The driver reported that the items were stolen when he left the car to buy food. There are no guards outside the site and the CCTV was down at the time of the incident. The incident was reported to Mzilikazi Police Station.
27 April 2023, 1400hrs, Business Site, Wolverhampton Road, Donnington: The control room received a report from the guard manning the site that an employee had given him a fake gate pass which he insisted he had received from the head of department and attempted to use the pass to remove property from the site. The employee told the guard that he had been authorized to pass with four poles on grounds that they were offcuts. The guard contacted the General Manager to confirm the authenticity of the gate pass and it was discovered that the gate pass was not valid and that the poles were actually working posts.
24 April 2023, 1030, Industrial Site, Coventry Road, Belmont: A car alarm sounded in the staff car park and the guard went to inspect the cause of the activation. On checking the car park, the guard saw a vehicle reversing from the car park. The driver stopped the car and opened the boot in an effort to conceal the license plate before driving off. A satchel was reported stolen from a car parked on site.
18 April 2023, 1230, Industrial Site, Kelvin Road, Kelvin West: A guard raised the control room and reported that a cutting torch was missing on site.
08 April 2023, 0100, Industrial Site, Basch Street, Makokoba: The guard manning the site received a report from a driver that eight bags were stolen from his truck. The truck was parked outside the site waiting to be weighed. The driver suspects the incident took place at night while he was asleep.
MANICALAND
Break In
08 April 2023, 1340, Industrial Site, St Hellens Drive, Nyakamete: A guard raised the control room and reported that during his patrols he saw an intruder on site. The intruder fled the scene and dropped aluminium pieces that had been taken from a forklift.
Theft
25 April 2023, 1200, Industrial Site, Durban Road, Nyakamete: The client reported that a grinder and a pressure wrench were missing from an unlocked room which is under renovation.
19 April 2023, 0850, Mine, Buhera: A 2.5 core cable was recovered from an employee who attempted to steal the cable from the site.
12 April 2023, 1900, Retail Site, Felice Avenue, Mutare: A report was received in the control room that three employees and a guard colluded to steal goods and dispatched seven boxes of tiles to a customer instead of two. The stolen goods were recovered at the customer’s house but the police failed to arrest the customer. The employees and the guard, four suspects out of five, were arrested.
05 April 2023, 1800, Farm, Chipinge: A guard raised the control room reporting intruders on site and a response team was dispatched. On arrival, the response team reported that intruders had stolen three bags of avocadoes and jumped over the fence.
03 April 2023, Unknown Time, Industrial Site, St Hellens Drive, Nyakamete: A guard reported that he found concealed goods including engine oil and a shaft on one of the trucks. The theft was discovered as the guard was conducting searches.
MASHONALAND CENTRAL
Break In
14 April 2023, 1230, Mine, Bindura: A guard called the control room and reported that two intruders had cut through the fence and attempted to steal gold ore from the site. The two intruders fled the scene and left their bags when they saw the workers on site.
MASHONALAND EAST
Robbery
26 April 2023, 1944, Residential Site, Ventersburg Road, Ruwa: A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched to the site. On arrival, the client reported that her niece had been attacked outside the house by a robber. The robber stabbed the niece in the hand and knee and stole her handbag which had a cellphone and some particulars.
Break In
01 April 2023, 0054, Cellphone Tower Station, Rusike Park: A video alarm signal was received from the site and a response team was dispatched. On arrival, the team reported that intruders had vandalised the palisade bars and twisted a camera upwards. The intruders attempted to vandalise the generator cage but they were interrupted by the response team, forcing the intruders to flee the scene empty handed. A shifting spanner was left on site.
MIDLANDS
Robbery
02 April 2023, 0600, Mine, Shurugwi: A guard reported that he had been attacked by intruders and that a firearm and various items were stolen from the house on site.
Break In
22 April 2023, 0334, Retail Site, Maboleni, Gweru: A client called the control room and reported that gun shots had been heard near the shops. The client picked up a day guard who resides close to the area and some police officers and proceeded to the shop. On arrival, the client reported that the front door had been forced open.
15 April 2023, Unknown Time, Mine, Shurugwi: An unknown number of intruders cut the fence and stole gravel from the site.
12 April 2023, 0620, Business Site, Chachacha, Shurugwi: A day guard reported that intruders broke into the shop and blew open a safe before stealing an undisclosed amount of money from the site.
09 April 2023, 1126, Cellphone Tower Station, Amaveni, Kwekwe: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched to the site. On arrival, the response team reported that intruders had damaged the palisade bars but no losses were reported.
08 April 2023, 2319, Residential Site, Park Lane, Athlone: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched to the site. On arrival, the response team reported that intruders broke into the residence and stole a television and meat.
07 April 2023, 2258 hrs, Cellphone Tower Station, Redcliff, Kwekwe: The control room received an alarm signal from the site and a response team was dispatched. On arrival, the response team checked the premises and reported that a palisade bar had been damaged by an intruder to gain access to the site. The intruder covered the
cameras with a piece of cloth and appeared to have been targeting the generator. However, the intruder did not manage to get access to the generator and no losses were reported on site.
MATABELELAND NORTH
Theft
06 April 2023, 1230, Mine, Hwange: A guard apprehended an employee who attempted to steal gold ore from the site. The guard observed that the employee was carrying an unusual speaker box and asked to inspect the box and discovered the gold ore.