DECEMBER 2019 OVERVIEW
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Overall, an 18% decrease in crime from 93 to 76 is visible when comparing November 2019 to December 2019. Crime in city centre has fallen significantly, and this may be due to the ZRP initiatives in the city center this past few months
As Zimbabwe faces a possible drought, crime is likely to increase again with retailers being the most vulnerable to shoplifting and theft from warehouses. As the economic indicators worsen, we are likely to see a steady increase in crime.
- Break-in incidents were the most common incidents, followed by theft incidents which decreased by 38% between November and December 2019.
- Although armed robberies are reported down, the threat remains very real and there is a need for increased awareness.
- Basic foodstuffs, fuel, and motor vehicle batteries remain the most targeted commodities.
- Suspects can easily sell the goods for foreign currency locally and across the border.
– Retailers are urged to be vigilant and security to be on the lookout for fake invoices and receipts, which may be used by, suspects. This is supported by the fact that Nyakamete.
- According to incidents reported to Safeguard over the past three (3) months, the following areas are currently the most vulnerable in Harare, Matebeleland and Manicaland:
*We have already said we expect crime to increase, and so these crimes are in fact predictable.
NATIONWIDE CRIME OVERVIEW, JULY 2019 – DECEMBER 2019
MONTHLY CRIME INCIDENT BREAKDOWN PER TYPE, JULY 2019 – DECEMBER 2019
TARGETED COMMODITIES, DECEMBER 2019
CRIME TYPE BREAKDOWN PER PROVINCE AND SUBURB, DECEMBER 2019
DECEMBER 2019 CRIME INCIDENT SUMMARIES
HARARE
09 December 2019, Attempted Common Robbery, Residential Site, Arcturus Road, Highlands:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises via an undisclosed access point. The suspects held up the complainants, assaulted the complainants but did not manage to remove anything from the premises.
20 December 2019, Attempted Armed Robbery, Commercial Site, Harrow Road, Msasa:
An unknown number of suspects arrived on-site in two (2) vehicles, a silver Mercedes-Benz and a black and white Volkswagen Golf, both without license plates. The suspects, who were in the possession of firearms, held up the complaints and forced them into the building. The suspects did not manage to remove anything from the premises and fled the scene.
12 December 2019, Assault, Residential Site, Campbelltown Road, Bluff Hill:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises after jumping over the dura-wall. The suspects assaulted a guard on the premises before fleeing the scene empty-handed.
08 December 2019, Assault, Residential Site, Kempden Close, Borrowdale:
The reaction team responded to an incident of assault on site. Information received states that two (2) employees, one (1) who was intoxicated were involved in a violent altercation on site.
22 December 2019, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Unnamed Road, Chitungwiza City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects removed bricks from a brick dura-wall and cut the fence to gain access onto the premises. The alarm activated and the suspects fled the scene empty-handed.
27 December 2019, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Unnamed Road, Chitungwiza City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises through palisade bars that had been previously forced open. The suspects attempted to force open a housing unit, failed and fled the scene empty-handed.
13 December 2019, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Addington Lane, Ballantyne Park:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises after breaking through the dura-wall. The suspects did not manage to remove anything from the premises.
23 December 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Russell Avenue, Greendale:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises after jumping over the dura-wall. The suspect/s removed a vehicle battery and welding equipment from the premises and fled the scene.
24 December 2019, Break-in, Residential Site, Cleveland Road, Greengrove:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the dura-wall and forced open a window. The suspects removed a television and groceries from the premises before fleeing the scene.
14 December 2019, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Richmond Road, Highlands:
One (1) suspect gained access onto the site after cutting the electric fence. The suspect fled upon realising that he had been spotted.
15 December 2019, Break-in, Residential Site, Cambridge Close, Kamfinsa:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the dura-wall and broke open the burglar bars. The suspects removed money and a laptop from the premises before fleeing the scene.
09 December 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Harrow Road, Msasa:
An unknown number of suspects cut through the electric fence and gained access onto the premises. The suspects tied up the guard and took the guard’s baton stick before fleeing the scene. No property loss was reported from the premises.
03 December 2019, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Whites Way, Msasa:
An unknown number of suspects attempted to gain access onto the site after cutting the electric fence. The suspects fled the scene when the alarm activated. No losses reported.
04 December 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Whites Way, Msasa:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the dura-wall and removed batteries from vehicles parked on site.
04 December 2019, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Woodlands Road. Msasa:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the dura wall but were interrupted by an alert guard and fled the scene empty-handed.
16 December 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Unnamed Street, Prospect:
An unknown number of suspects arrived on-site, forced open the palisade bars and removed batteries from the equipment room before fleeing the scene.
02 December 2019, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Inverary Road, Vainona:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and forced open the toilet window. A complainant heard the noise and screamed; causing the suspects to flee the scene empty-handed.
06 December 2019, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Unnamed Street, Westgate:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the dura-wall and forced open the kitchen door resulting in alarm activation. The suspects fled the scene empty-handed.
01 December 2019, Intruder, Residential Site, Lewisam Avenue, Chisipite:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the dura wall and gained access to the premises. An alert guard saw the suspects as they entered the premises and pressed the panic button. The suspects fled the scene.
14 December 2019, Intruder, Commercial Site, Sande Crescent, Graniteside:
Two (2) suspects were seen loitering on site. Safeguard security responded to the site but the suspects had long fled the scene. No losses reported.
27 December 2019, Intruder, Residential Site, Wavell Road, Highlands:
A security guard on duty spotted a suspect walking on the dura wall in an attempt to gain access onto the premises. The suspect fled the scene and got into a vehicle of an undisclosed make, colour and registration plate upon noticing that the guard had spotted him.
07 December 2019, Intruder, Commercial Site, Martin Drive, Msasa:
The response team was despatched on site after the complainant reported the presence of trespassers on site. The suspects had fled the scene by the time the team arrived.
10 December 2019, Intruder, Commercial Site, Kirkman Road, Westlea:
One (1) male suspect was apprehended after he was found loitering on the premises.
23 December 2019, Theft, Residential Site, Montclaire Close, Borrowdale:
An unknown number of suspects gained access to the premises and removed a bag that contained a cellphone and money from the kitchen.
14 December 2019, Theft, Residential Site, Piers Road, Borrowdale:
An unknown number of suspects removed an undisclosed amount of fuel from a generator on site.
21 December 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Telford Road, Graniteside:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and removed a cellphone from the premises.
18 December 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Domboshawa Road, Hatcliff:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and siphoned an undisclosed amount of diesel from a generator on site.
05 December 2019, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Coronation Avenue, Highlands:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and attempted to siphon fuel from a generator parked on site.
02 December 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Douglas Road, Workington:
An unknown number of suspects removed an undisclosed amount of mealie meal from the premises.
04 December 2019, Theft, Mine, Unnamed Road, Darwendale:
An unknown number of suspects removed an undisclosed amount of chrome from the premises.
27 December 2019, Attempted Theft, Mine, Unnamed Road, Darwendale:
An unknown number of suspects removed an undisclosed amount of chrome from the premises and hid it in a nearby bush.
10 December 2019, Attempted Theft, Mine, Unnamed Road, Shurugwi:
One (1) suspect was apprehended on site after being found in the possession of concealed flashback arrestors.
14 December 2019, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Residential Site, Shottery Road, Greystone Park:
An unknown number of suspects forcibly opened the doors of a vehicle parked on-site and removed house keys and a gate remote from the vehicle.
28 December 2019, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Commercial Site, Loreley Close, Msasa:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and drained fuel from two (2) vehicles parked on site.
18 December 2019, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Commercial Site, Harare Drive, Southerton:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and removed vehicle batteries from two vehicles parked on site.
13 December 2019, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Commercial Site, Simon Mazorodze Road, Southerton:
An employee on the premises removed a vehicle battery from a truck parked on-site and threw it over the dura wall.
BULAWAYO
29 December 2019, Armed Robbery, Commercial Site, Plumtree Road, Donnington:
Six (6) suspects forcibly gained access onto the site and tied up the security guard and caretaker. The suspects assaulted the guard, took money from him and the caretaker. The suspects cut the roller shutter door in an attempt to enter the offices but the alarm activated causing the suspects to flee the scene.
25 December 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Lobengula Street, City Centre:
At least two (2) suspects forcibly entered the building through the window and removed an undisclosed amount of samp, snacks and rice from the premises. The reaction team apprehended one (1) suspect when the team responded to the alarm activation.
15 December 2019, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Fife Street and 9th Avenue, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects used a rod to break the display glass but did not manage to remove anything from the premises.
15 December 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Steel Works and Nugget Road, Donnington:
An unknown number of suspects forcibly gained access onto the premises via an undisclosed access point and removed a laptop from the site.
22 December 2019, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Wolverhampton Road, Donnington:
An unknown number of suspects forcibly entered the building after breaking through the back office window. The suspects did not manage to remove anything from the premises.
01 December 2019, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Iron Bridge Road, Donnington:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and attempted to remove asbestos sheets from the premises.
16 December 2019, Break-in, Residential Site, Weir Avenue, Hillside:
An unknown number of suspects forcibly gained access onto the premises after jumping over the dura wall and removed an undisclosed amount of property from the site.
05 December 2019, Break-in, Religious Site, Luveve Road, Luveve:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site after jumping over the dura wall. The suspects forcibly opened the front door and removed a PA system from the premises.
27 December 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Athlone Avenue, Northend:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the dura wall, forced open a window and removed a desktop from the premises.
18 December 2019, Break-in, Religious Site, Eastcot Avenue, Paddonhurst:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site after jumping over the dura wall. The suspects forcibly opened the front door and removed a PA system from the premises.
18 December 2019, Intruder, Mine, Unnamed Road, Inyati:
Two (2) suspects were seen loitering on site. The suspects fled the scene when they have approached the guard on duty.
24 December 2019, Theft, Retail Site, Herbert Chitepo and Leopold Takawira Street, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects entered the premises and removed clothing from the premises.
15 December 2019, Theft, Retail Site, Josiah Chinamano Street, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects removed an unsecured bike from the premises.
04 December 2019, Attempted Theft, Mine, Unnamed Road, Inyati:
One (1) suspect was apprehended after attempting to remove muddy gold from the premises.
18 December 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Steel Arch Road, Kelvin North:
One (1) suspect (an employee on-site) was seen removing a significant amount of packaging bags from the premises and threw them over the dura wall. The suspect jumped over the dura wall and fled the scene.
31 December 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Kentwell Road, Kelvin West:
An unknown number of suspects removed alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from the site and fled the scene.
01 December 2019, Theft, Residential Site, Lady Stanley Avenue, Northend:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises after jumping over the dura wall. The suspects removed a generator from the premises and fled the scene.
05 December 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Basch Street, Steeldale:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and removed bags of flour from the site.
16 December 2019, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Commercial Site, Iron Bridge Road, Donnington:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises, approached a vehicle parked on-site and removed car parts from the vehicle.
01 December 2019, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Residential Site, Kabalanto Road, Luveve:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises after jumping over the dura wall and siphoned diesel from a vehicle parked on site.
01 December 2019, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Public Location, 1st Street, Suburbs:
An unknown number of suspects forcibly opened the door of a vehicle parked on-site and removed personal belongings including clothing from the vehicle.
MANICALAND
04 December 2019, Break-in, Residential Site, Robert Mugabe Road, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects gained access to the premises. The suspects gained access into a cottage onsite after breaking through the roof and removed an undisclosed amount of property from the house.
15 December 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Unnamed Road, Dangamvura:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises, twisted the palisade bars and removed a conveyor belt and generator batteries from the premises.
19 December 2019, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Riverside Avenue, Light Industry:
An unknown number of suspects cut the electric fence and removed an undisclosed amount of household goods from the premises.
26 December 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Simon Mazorodze, Light Industry:
An unknown number of suspects entered the house and removed money and groceries from the premises.
23 December 2019, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Plantation Drive, Morningside:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and used a catapult to break one (1) of the windows. The suspects did not manage to remove anything from the premises as the alarm activated.
05 December 2019, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Unnamed Road, Nyakamete:
An unknown number of suspects twisted the palisade bars and forced open the generator door. The suspects tampered with the closed-circuit television camera but did not manage to remove anything from the premises.
17 December 2019, Attempted Fraud, Retail Site, Herbert Chitepo, City Centre:
One (1) suspect was apprehended after attempting to use a fake invoice to remove cooking oil from the premises.
18 December 2019, Fraud, Retail Site, Herbert Chitepo, City Centre:
Three (3) suspects entered the premises with a fake invoice. The suspects took an undisclosed amount of cooking oil from the premises and gave the fake invoice to the guard as they exited the premises. Security apprehended the suspects on their third attempt.
23 December 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, First Street, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects removed a generator battery from the premises and fled the scene. It is suspected that an internal guard removed the battery from the premises.
21 December 2019, Attempted Theft, Retail Site, Chipanda Street, City Centre:
One (1) suspect was apprehended after attempting to leave the store with a significant amount of bathing soap and cooking oil, which was not paid for.
23 December 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Cardiff Road, Muneni:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and approached a vehicle parked on site. The suspects cut the tent cover and removed an undisclosed amount of fertiliser from the truck before fleeing the scene.
20 December 2019, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, St Helens Drive, Nyakamete:
Three (3) suspects were apprehended after they attempted to remove an undisclosed amount of welding equipment from the premises.
24 December 2019, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Durban Road, Nyakamete:
One (1) suspect was apprehended after removing and concealing a phone charger stolen from the premises.
19 December 2019, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Public Location, Harare Road, Light Industry:
An unknown number of suspects approached a vehicle that had broken down on-site and removed reflectors from the vehicle.
22 December 2019, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Commercial Site, Park Road, Nyakamete:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and approached the vehicles parked on site. The suspects removed a significant amount of car parts including fuel and chain blocks from the vehicles before fleeing the scene.
11 December 2019, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Commercial Site, Cardiff Road, Nyakamete:
An unknown number of suspects approached a vehicle parked on-site, removed a spare wheel from the vehicle and fled the scene.
MIDLANDS
GWERU
30 December 2019, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Harare Road, Athlone:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and forced open the palisade bars. The suspects did not manage to remove anything from the premises due to an alarm activation.
KWEKWE
14 December 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Third Street, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the door and removed an undisclosed amount of oil, batteries and money from the premises.
MASHONALAND WEST
CHINHOYI
07 December 2019, Armed Robbery, Commercial Site, Main Street, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects, who were on the run from the police after an armed robbery in an undisclosed location, encountered the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in the Chinhoyi City Centre. A shootout ensued between the police and the suspects, resulting in one (1) suspect fatality. No further details were provided.