MONTHLY OVERVIEW
- The number of incidents reported to Safeguard remained relatively constant between November and December 2022.
- An increase in crime was reported in Mashonaland West with Norton reporting an increase in crime. In Mashonaland West, Goromonzi continues to report break-in incidents.
- In the past month, two incidents were reported in which robbers fired shots during an armed robbery. In Murambinda, a Safeguard guard managed to prevent an armed robbery at a
business after he fired shots when armed robbers attempted to attack a business site.- In addition to this, Safeguard recorded several arrests in the industrial areas. The arrests were
attributed to increased vigilance, regular patrols by guards, and swift response by the reaction teams during the December period.
- In addition to this, Safeguard recorded several arrests in the industrial areas. The arrests were
- In the past months, robberies at fuel stations were reported nationwide at both client and non -client sites. Cellphone tower stations were also increasingly targeted in the past month.
- Batteries and safes continue to be targeted in break-ins.
- Kitchens were the most commonly used access points.
- The number of vehicle smash and grab incidents reported increased in Harare over the festive period.
TOTAL MONTHLY REPORTED INCIDENTS
MONTHLY CRIME BREAKDOWN
*The above graphs only depict the crime incidents reported to Safeguard Security and Safeguard Alarms nationwide.
FREQUENTLY TARGETED ITEMS
HIGH RISK AREAS
SECURITY ADVICE
- Be vigilant and trust your instincts. Immediately press your panic button if you believe you are in danger. Ensure that guards, caretakers and residents in cottages are also equipped with panic buttons so they can sound the alarm if they need to.
- In complexes, residents should be equipped with panic buttons. Panic buttons can be linked to a central alarm system to alert other residents of an intrusion on site.
- Residents and business owners in complexes should be wary of the false sense of security associated with staying in a complex or estate and ensure that their houses or businesses
have alarm systems. This can be linked to the main gate as well as radio linked for swift response reaction.
- Residents and business owners in complexes should be wary of the false sense of security associated with staying in a complex or estate and ensure that their houses or businesses
- Install sensors in the kitchen area and always arm your alarm system.
- Install alternative power sources e.g. solar for improved performance of security systems such as alarms. Guards also need the power to charge their radios for prompt and effective
communication. - Ensure to service your alarm system regularly for optimal performance.
- To avoid intrusions, make it a habit to lock all main doors both during the day and night as criminals have been reported to attack unsuspecting residents as they relax in their house.
OUTLOOK
Thank you for using Safeguard.
The Safeguard Team
CRIME SUMMARIES TABLE AND SUMMARIES
CRIME
HARARE
Armed Robbery
17 December 2022, 0256hrs, Cellphone Tower Station, Retreat, Waterfalls: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team met a private security guard who had been deployed to the site. The guard informed the Safeguard response team that an unknown number of armed suspects had attacked a private security guard who was on duty. The suspects broke two palisade bars to gain access. They went on to break two battery cages and stole some batteries before getting away in a Caravan vehicle. A police report was filed at Waterfalls Police Station.
23 December 2022, 2057hrs, Business Site, Scott Road, Hatfield: A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team met a supervisor who informed them that they had been robbed. An unknown number of suspects arrived in a Toyota Auris vehicle without number plates. Two of the suspects, one with a pistol the other with a knife, disembarked. The one with a pistol pointed it at a fuel attendant and grabbed the cash bag. The other one snatched a cash bag from another attendant and they both ran back to their vehicle. After the vehicle sped off, the fuel attendants reported the incident to their supervisor who then pressed the panic button. A police report was filed and investigations are in progress.
Robbery
10 December 2022, 2045hrs, Business Site, Tilbury Road, Willowvale: A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. When the team arrived, they requested for back-up as there was a robbery in progress. A second team was dispatched and the police also attended. The manager reported that three robbers arrived on site in a green and white commuter omnibus. One of the robbers searched one of the fuel attendants and took money from the attendant. As the commuter omnibus driver was about to start the car and drive away, a motorist blocked his way. The robber who took some money disembarked the kombi and ran away. Fortunately, the two accomplices were arrested when they tried to escape. The suspects were taken to Glen Norah Police Station.
16 December 2022, 0500hrs, Residential Site, Braywick Lane, Philadelphia: Five unknown intruders who were driving a Honda Fit vehicle jumped over the gate to gain access to a client’s residence. The intruders assaulted a man who was in the house. A laptop, a cell phone and some money were stolen. A police report was filed at Borrowdale Police Station.
21 December 2022, 0231hrs, Business Site, Broadlands Road, Emerald Hill: An alarm, signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team reported that four intruders cut five electric strands on top of a durawall and jumped inside. They cut a padlock key on the main gate and entered the site. When the intruders encountered a private security guard who was on site, they tied him with his uniform belt and badly assaulted him. The intruders tried to open the server room door and failed. They broke two battery room doors and broke both screen doors plus a wooden door. When they gained access, they vandalized the alarm system and cut cable connections before stealing two solar batteries. The keyholder attended and the guard was taken to the hospital. A police report was filed.
28 December 2022, 2000hrs, Residential Site, Bayswater Road, Highlands: A client came to the Safeguard offices to report a robbery incident. She reported that while she was watching television in her house, three men wearing face masks and holding knives, entered her house. The men demanded money and took an undisclosed amount of money. She said she had not yet armed her alarm as she was still awake.
29 December 2022, Unspecified Time, Public Location, Madokero, Tynwald North: An area checker called the control room reporting that a guard had been arrested. The guard allegedly connived with a private security guard and attempted to rob a money changer. The guards used O/C spray to attack the victim. The guards were found with money that was not declared leading to their arrest. The suspects were taken to Mabelreign Police Station.
Assault
13 December 2022, 0714hrs, Business Site, Cork Road, Belgravia: An alarm signal was received and a reaction team was dispatched. The team reported that intruders jumped into the sites and attacked a private security guard who was in the guardroom. The suspects did not take anything from site. A police report was filed at Avondale Police Station.
Break-in
4 December 2022, 0415hrs, Residential Site, Alfred Road, Greendale: A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team reported that intruders jumped over the durawall to gain access. The intruders broke the veranda lock and stole a small generator that was on the veranda. A septic tank lid was also stolen. A police report was filed at Rhodesville Police Station.
7 December 2022, 0539hrs, Sports Club, 5th Street Extension, Alexandra Park: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team met a keyholder who confirmed there had been a break-in on site. Intruders broke the gate lock and removed all outside sensors. The intruders broke the back door and stole all building keys, a laptop and an unspecified amount of money. Two solar batteries and an inverter were vandalised. The intruders broke into the administration block and broke a safe where they took some money. They failed to open a separate safe and left it by the administration block exit door. A police report was filed and investigations are in progress.
7 December 2022, 0239hrs, Residential Site, Rhodesville Avenue, Greendale: A client called the control room reporting that she had seen intruders on site and a response team was dispatched. On arrival, the team reported intruders broke into a Honda CRV vehicle. An umbrella, a juice bottle, a shovel, four fire extinguishers and a gango pan were confirmed stolen. A generator was recovered just outside the security wall. A police report was filed at Highlands Police Station.
8 December 2022, 0148hrs, Residential Site, Ridgeway North, Highlands: A guard radioed the control room reporting a theft on site. A response team was dispatched to inspect the site. It was reported that intruders had forced entry through the kitchen window. Two solar batteries, two Jameson whiskey bottles and some money were confirmed stolen. The client reported that when he woke up to check his car alarm, he found the guard asleep. A police report was filed and investigations are in progress. The guard was removed from the site.
8 December 2022, 0050hrs, Educational Institution, Alexandra Drive, Hatfield: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team reported that intruders cut one palisade bar and vandalised the battery cage. And unknown number of batteries were stolen. A private security guard was deployed and a police report was filed.
10 December 2022, 2125hrs, Residential Site, Lomagundi Road, Avondale: A client called the control room reporting a break-in at a neighbouring site. A response team was dispatched and the team picked up police officers on their way to the site. On arrival, the resident reported that four intruders jumped into her yard. The intruders gained access through the kitchen door which was not locked. Two HP laptops, three power banks, and a torch were confirmed stolen. The client’s son fired a warning shot and the intruders ran away.
11 December 2022, Unspecified Time, Business Site, Barking Road, Willowvale: A Safeguard checker reported that he had arrested an intruder. However, the intruder later escaped while in handcuffs.
12 December 2022, 0157hrs, Residential Site, Elshadai Road, Helensvale: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team met the client and they inspected the site. The team reported that intruders forced open the downstairs kitchen window to gain access into the house. The intruders broke into the study room where they stole a laptop. The intruders opened the study room window and used it to exit. A police report was filed at Borrowdale Police Station.
13 December 2022, 0839hrs, Cellphone Tower Station, Scott Road, Hatfield: A client called the control room requesting for a reaction team as there was an intrusion on site. A reaction team was dispatched. The team reported that intruders twisted one palisade bar to gain entry. They broke the equipment key room and stole some batteries. A police report was filed and investigations are in progress.
14 December 2022, 0132hrs, Residential Site, Hurworth Road, Highlands: An area checker raised the control room informing them that he had seen a suspicious person. A response team was dispatched. On arrival, it was reported that the suspect had activated an alarm at a neighbouring site and jumped over into the site. A Safeguard guard who was guarding the site the team responded to, flashed the suspect with a torch and the suspect jumped back to the first site. The response team searched around for the suspect but did not find him. An extra guard was deployed.
21 December 2022, 0741hrs, Business Site, Douglas Road, Workington: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team found employees standing outside the building. It was reported that intruders broke the security wall and forced open the main entrance door to gain access. Two 200ah batteries, one 3kv hybrid inverter, and 12 solar panels were reported stolen. The police attended and a police report was filed.
21 December 2022, 0216hrs, Cellphone Tower Station, Hunyani Road, Mabvuku: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team met a private security guard who informed them that he had seen two intruders on site but nothing was stolen. The team checked the site and reported that two palisade bars had been cut. A police report was filed at Mabvuku Police Station.
21 December 2022, 0340hrs, Residential Site, Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Avenues: A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team met two private security guards who had arrested an intruder on site. The team took the suspect to Harare Central Police Station.
25 December 2022, Unspecified Time, Business Site, Barking Road, Willowvale: While doing their hand-over take-over, one of the guards noticed that the security fence had been tampered with. The guards reported to the control and it is yet to be confirmed if anything was stolen.
Theft
1 December 2022, 1100hrs, Business Site, Mutare Road, Msasa: A guard reportedly connived with a shoplifter and stole seven pairs of shoes. The guard ran away and investigations are in progress.
2 December 2022, 1902hrs, Business Site, Leopold Takawira Street, City Centre: A client called the control room reporting a theft incident that had occurred the previous night. A reaction team was dispatched to inspect the site. The team reported that there were no signs of forced entry. The CCTV footage was deleted. Money was reported stolen from a drawer in an office.
4 December 2022, 0600hrs, Educational Site, Borrowdale Road, Borrowdale: A day shift guard reported that he found a guard with a tennis racket and a cricket ball the previous day. The guard stopped all night guards from leaving the site and asked the supervisor to attend. All guards were questioned and one of the night guards admitted to stealing some items. Two travelling bags, two satchels, three calculators, two pairs of gloves, a wrist watch, a cricket ball, a tennis racket, two milk sachets, a pencil case and an acoustic guitar were recovered. The guard was taken to Avondale Police Station.
5 December 2022, 0500hrs, Business Site, Tynwald: The control room received a theft report from the site. The guard on duty saw some fuel spillages and went to check the fuel tanks. He reported that fuel had been stolen from the tanks. The area controller, duty manager, and residents were informed.
7 December 2022, Unspecified Time, Business Site, Telford Road, Graniteside: A site checker reported that two plastic bins were stolen. The client was informed.
10 December 2022, 2310hrs, Business Site, Airport Road, Hatfield: A guard monitoring unit operator raised the control room after receiving a theft report from the guard on site. A rider and a response team were dispatched. He reported that a television was stolen from the kitchen. The case was reported to Hatfield police station.
11 December 2022, 2050hrs, Industrial Site, Lytton Road, Workington: A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The guard on site informed the team that there were intruders on site and a second team was dispatched. The guard reported that he had seen four intruders attempting to steal tents from trucks that were parked outside. When the intruders saw the guard, they ran away. The response team chased after the suspects and managed to arrest one of the suspects. National Railways of Zimbabwe were also patrolling and together with the Safeguard team, they arrested another suspect who was seen loitering in the area. The third suspect was found with two shovels, a pick, and about 1.9kgs of copper. The suspects were detained at Mbare Police Station.
14 December 2022, Unspecified Time, Residential Site, Quorn Road, Arundel: A Safeguard guard reported that some money was reported missing from a client’s vehicle. The client instructed the guards to keep the gate locked. The duty manager was informed.
28 December 2022, 0141hrs, Residential Site, Sawley Close, Marlborough: A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team met a resident who informed them that he saw an intruder trying to drain fuel from his vehicle that was parked outside the durawall. He pressed the panic button and the alarm sounded. The intruder ran away with a fuel jerry can. Nothing was stolen but the fuel inlet pipe was damaged. A police report was filed at Marlborough Police Station.
29 December 2022, Unspecified Time, Business Site, Martin Drive, Msasa: A Safeguard guard saw an intruder on site. She tried to arrest him but the suspect managed to escape leaving his bag behind. An iron bar was found inside his bag. The site checker attended. Nothing was confirmed stolen from the site.
31 December 2022, 1820hrs, Residential Site, Dart Road, Borrowdale: A client called the control room reporting that 17 rabbits had been stolen from his site. The client also informed the control room that there were no signs of break-in in the area where the rabbits were stolen was not armed and his outside sensors are not working. The client refused police involvement.
BULAWAYO
Break-in
8 December 2022, 0800hrs, Business Site, Jason Moyo, Bulawayo CBD: A day guard raised the control room reporting a break-in through the window. The operations manager attended and a night guard was deployed until the window was fixed. Nothing was reportedly stolen.
8 December 2022, 0804hrs, Business Site, Josiah Tongogara Street, Bulawayo CBD: A client called the control room reporting a break-in. An unknown number of intruders cut a bar of the security gate at the veranda to gain access. The intruders damaged the camera by the door and broke the main entrance door. They disconnected a battery from the alarm hence no signal was received. They took keys from a neighbouring office and opened the strong room. The intruders used a grinder to open the safe and stole an undisclosed amount of money. The ZRP attended a police report was filed.
9 December 2022, Unspecified Time, Business Site, Fairbridge Way, Ilanda: Guards on site reported that they had seen an intruder on site and managed to chase him away. The intruder reportedly broke into the kitchen where he took a weighing scale, a bell, and a baking tray. After seeing the guards, the intruder ran away through an opening that was at the back of the sites. The stolen goods were all found in the yard. The keyholder and the police attended. A police report was filed.
10 December 2022, 0448hrs, Church Complex, Bulawayo CBD: An early opening signal was received followed by a panic signal and a response team was dispatched. The team reported that there had been a break-in at the caretaker’s cottage. The intruders broke three strands of fence and used a crowbar to open the door. The cottage window was slightly broken and open. 3kgs of sausage, two packs of pork, seven tinned beef cans, 2l cooking oil, two crates of eggs, a knife, some plates and a 7kg gas tank were stolen. The keyholder attended and reported that she will ask her manager if they should file a police report.
11 December 2022, 0838hrs, Business Site, Falcon Street, Belmont: An employee called the radio room reporting a break-in on site. The employee reported that when he entered the site, the alarm did not sound as usual. He then noticed that the warehouse and finance manager’s doors were tampered with. It was reported that intruders broke two safes that were reportedly empty. The duty manager attended the site together with the police. A police report was filed.
12 December 2022, 0313hrs, Cellphone Tower Station, Hussings Road, Luveve: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team reported that a palisade fence was cut and the razor wire was folded. Four batteries were found outside their containers. The night manager attended with the ZRP and a police report was filed.
12 December 2022, 0720hrs, Business Site, Lobengula Street and Fifth Avenue, Bulawayo CBD: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team reported that intruders broke the front door keys to gain access. Pots, pillow cases and a basket of pants were reported stolen. The shop owner, the police and the duty manager attended. A police report was filed.
13 December 2022, 0640hrs, Business Site, Fort Street, Bulawayo CBD: A client called the control room reporting a break-in on site. Intruders broke the back door to gain access. Two DVRS and some money were reported stolen. Intruders failed to open a safe which had some money. No alarm signal was received. The police and the reaction team attended.
15 December 2022, 0043hrs, Educational Institution, Meldrum Road, Kingsdale: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. An unknown number of intruders broke the burglar bars on the screen door to gain access to the Bursar’s office. As the intruders opened the door, an alarm activated and the intruders ran away. The team found the principal and other residents attending to the site. The police also attended and asked the bursar to file a report if anything was stolen.
17 December 2022, 0200hrs, Residential Site, Landau Drive, Khumalo: A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team met the residents who informed them that there had been a break-in the previous night. The client’s wife said she heard dogs barking around 0200hrs which is when they suspected the break-in took place. Intruders damaged the electric fence, broke a window and its burglar bars to gain access. Two windows were found open. The broken window and some kitchen utensils were taken to the store room by the intruders. Nothing was confirmed stolen. The ZRP attended and a report was filed.
19 December 2022, 0500hrs, Residential Site, Chelford Road, Matseumhlope: While the area checker was doing his patrols, he reported that he saw a fence cut on one side of the site. The night manager attended to the site. Nothing was confirmed stolen. It is suspected that individuals were possibly using the section as a shortcut from one suburb to the next.
21 December 2022, Unspecified Time, Cellphone Tower Station, Amakhosi: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. An unknown number of suspects cut two palisade poles to gain access. The suspects drained fuel but abandoned it when they saw the reaction car. Eight more empty containers were recovered when the ZRP attended. A police report was filed and investigations are in progress.
24 December 2022, 1557hrs, Business Site, Birmingham Road, Belmont: A client called reporting a break-in on site and a reaction team was dispatched. The team met a keyholder, manager and a private security guard. The guard said he’d not seen anything. The team played the CCTV footage and reported that intruders tampered with the alarm system hence no signal was received. The alarm was also not activated. The client said she would file a police report after establishing the value of stolen goods.
30 December 2022, 2143hrs, Cellphone Tower Station, Mpopoma: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team reported that intruders broke two palisade bars to gain access into the cellphone tower station. Everything else seemed to be in order. The night supervisor and the police attended. A police report was filed.
Theft
6 December 2022, 1100hrs, Business Site, Dulibadzimo, Beitbridge: A borehole electric cable was reportedly stolen from the site.
7 December 2022, 0430hrs, Business Site, Caithness Avenue, Hillside: A guard on duty called the control room reporting a theft incident. He reported that four mountain bicycles were stolen from the storeroom. The guard confirmed that the storeroom was locked when the duty was handed over to him. The keyholder attended and a police report was filed.
19 December 2022, 2106hrs, Residential Site, Bon Avenue, Richmond: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team met two private security guards and a tenant. The tenant informed the team that he saw two intruders moving outside the security wall carrying batteries on their shoulders. The team checked the site and confirmed that two batteries had been stolen. A police report was filed and the case was handed over to the police.
27 December 2022, 0600hrs, Business Site, Caithness Road, Hillside: While doing hand-over take-over, a Safeguard guard noticed that the doors on a non-client in the same complex were open. The site owner was informed. Two solar panels and an inverter were reported stolen.
MANICALAND
Armed robbery
3 December 2022, 0130hrs, Business Site, Murambinda: A Safeguard guard called the control room reporting an attempted armed robbery incident. Four armed robbers attacked the guards on-site in an attempt to enter the site. One of the robbers fired a shot in the air. A Safeguard gunner who was on site returned fire and shot six shots into the air causing the robbers to flee the scene empty-handed.
Break-in
18 December 2022, 2245hrs, Residential Site, Rekayi Tangwena, Morningside: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team reported that the spare room window had been tampered with. The client said nothing was stolen. The client filed a police report.
19 December 2022, 2200hrs, Business Site, Liverpool Road, Nyakamete: A guard reported a break-in on the site he was manning. An intruder cut two layers of high strain wire, removed the razor wire, and removed one durawall panel to gain access. He approached a parked truck and attempted to remove the battery. The truck driver heard the chain noise and went to check. The intruder saw the driver and ran away. The guard on site tried to give a chase but failed to catch the intruder.
Theft
3 December 2022, 1930hrs, Business Site, Buhera: A guard manning the site recovered stolen items from an internal employee on site. The stolen items included 4kg wire nails, 2kg bolts and nuts, two generator batteries, eight rolls of industrial baling twine, six rolls of plastics, and four plastic bags. The employee had allegedly connived with his supervisor. The employees were taken to Dorowa Police Station.
10 December 2022, 0050hrs, Business Site, St Hellens Drive, Nyakamete: A client reported that his cell phone was stolen while he was charging it. He reported that he suspected that one of his workmates had stolen it.
21 December 2022, 2245hrs, Mine, Buhera: After seeing a heap of hidden mineral stones, the Safeguard team searched the dumping site. While investigating, they saw and confronted two intruders who were carrying two 25l bottles with diesel. The two intruders dropped the bottles and the team tried to give a chase but failed to catch the suspects.
29 December 2022, 0212hrs, Residential Site, Murambi East: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team reported that the main door was and the screen gate were damaged. The client reported that a speaker had been stolen. A police report was filed at Mutare Central Police.
MASHONALAND EAST
Break In
10 December 2022, 2226hrs, Cellphone Tower Station, Ushewokunze Road, Windsor Park: An alarm signal was received and a reaction team was dispatched. The team reported that intruders bent a palisade bar but failed to gain access. A private security guard was deployed and a police report was fled.
20 December 2022, 2040hrs, Residential Site, Goromonzi Road, Goromonzi: A Safeguard guard called the control room reporting that he had arrested an intruder. The house keeper could not identify the suspect. The driver took the suspect to Goromonzi Police Station.
21 December 2022, 0155hrs, Residential site, Ethel Ridge, Marondera: A client called the control room reporting a break in at her residence. A response team was dispatched. The team reported that an intruder removed screws from a cottage door and gained access. A 68-inch television was taken from the cottage and a petrol generator that was in the garage were taken. When the tenant who stays in the cottage woke up, she reported that she saw an intruder jumping out through the window. While running away, the intruder dropped the television and left it behind. He also left a raincoat, woollen hat and a jacket. The gardener said he could identify the owner of the clothes. The client confirmed that her alarm system was not working. A police report was filed and investigations are in progress.
21 December 2022, 1310hrs, Farm, Goromonzi: A client called a zone controller reporting that there had been a break-in on site. The client requested police attendance. A response team together with police officers were dispatched. On arrival, it was reported that intruders broke the kraal security fence and stole a cow. A police report was filed and investigations are in progress.
Theft
1 December 2022, 0057hrs, Residential Site, Verney Drive, Goromonzi: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. On arrival, the team met a private security guard and the client on site. It was reported that a cell phone that was charging in the storeroom had been stolen. Nothing was stolen from the main house.
13 December 2022, Unspecified Time, Business Site, Ventursburg Road, Ruwa: A client called reporting a theft on site. He also requested to meet all guards who were on duty the previous night. The client reported that button blocks were stolen from tankers that were parked on site. VSA tests were conducted on all guards. The case was reported to the police.
MASHONALAND CENTRAL
Robbery
13 December 2022, 0025hrs, Business Site, Mutare Road, Melfort: A text message was received from a client and a response team was dispatched. The team met the manager and two day-guards who reside on site. The private security guard who was manning the site was found at the back of the shop. He was tied and his head was covered with a sack. The guard reported that an unknown number of intruders forced the backdoor padlock open to gain access. The inside office doors were left open. The intruders went to the manager’s office and took some money. The intruders searched the drawers and took some drinks. They vandalised a computer server and cut the alarm key pad. Police officers attended and a report was filed.
Theft
15 December 2022, Unspecified Time, Mining Site, Bindura: A mountain bicycle was reportedly stolen from the site and the case was reported to Bindura Police Station.
MATABELELAND WEST
Armed Robbery
18 December 2022, 0101hrs, Business Site, Bulawayo Road, Norton: A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team arrived at the same time as the police. Most people had left the site as the business had closed for that day and two employees had stayed behind balancing stock. When they were about to leave, they realized that their car was not starting. It was at that time that armed robbers attacked them. The employees were force marched back to the office and the robbers ordered them to unlock the door. The suspects tied the private security guard who was on site and another guard who was manning the next site and a fuel attendant. The suspects forced the manager to open the cash office where they took a safe and loaded it in their Honda fit vehicle. They also took money that was in the tills. When the team arrived along with the police, the robbers fired a shot towards the police and the police fired back. The suspects ran away leaving their Honda Fit and the safe behind. A police report was filed and investigations are in progress.
Break In
10 December 2022, 0142hrs, Business Site, Katanga, Norton: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team reported that an iron sheet was removed from the roof. The keyholder was informed and she attended. The team, together with the keyholder, inspected the site. The keyholder confirmed that nothing had been stolen. The keyholder declined police involvement.
18 December 2022, 0342hrs, Cellphone Tower Station, Hunyani, Norton: A private security guard called the control room requesting a reaction team. A response team was dispatched. The team met a private guard who was on duty and he summarised the incident to them. He reported that three intruders cut a bolt and twisted a palisade bar to gain access. They covered the camera with a jacket. The guard who was a few meters away threw stones at the intruders and they ran away empty handed. No alarm signal was received from the site. A police report was filed.
23 December 2022, 2352hrs, Residential Site, Fairview Road, Mount Hampden: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team met the residents who informed them that there were intruders on site. It was discovered that intruders had broken the kitchen door lock. They failed to open the screen door and ran away as the alarm had sounded. A police report was filed at Marlborough.
28 December 2022, Unspecified Time, Business Site, Mount Hampden: A client sent a message to the control room reporting that three engine management computers were missing. It is suspected that the computers were stolen between 23 and 27 December 2022. Investigations are in progress.
MASVINGO
Break In
9 December 2022, Unspecified Time, Business Site, Masvingo: A break-in was reported at a client’s shop. Nothing was confirmed stolen.
MIDLANDS
Break-in
2 December 2022, Unspecified Time, Mine, Kwekwe: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team reported that intruders cut the fence and attempted to force open a window. The suspects ran away when the alarm activated. Nothing was stolen. A police report was filed.
14 December 2022, 0953hrs, Business Site, 3rd Street, Gweru CBD: An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. On arrival the team with the client and a passer-by who informed them that a homeless kid had broken into the site and fled the scene. The client filed a police report.