JANUARY 2020 OVERVIEW

There is good news and bad news this month.

The good is that the number of incidents for Safeguard customers has fallen month on month over the last few months. An indication may be that we are all a bit more aware. 

The bad is that the number of incidents is nearly double that of last year in Harare, and the same applies across most areas

Crime overall is well up based on the reports we have received.

Targets

  • Cash –  Armed robberies have become a standard weekly event. Greendale, Ballantyne Park, and Emerald hill the main target areas, and more recently industrial premises. If you are storing cash at home or work, you are a target. Unless you have very strong layers of security in place, you will lose it. Hiding it in a “secret place “is not good security!
  • Food  – As inflation pressure mounts people are becoming more desperate. Food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers are increasingly at risk. A few poorly paid internal or external guards will not deliver a reliable solution. Invest in your security and systems in these areas to reduce loss.
  • Batteries – Motor vehicle batteries are a daily target. This mainly from industrial and commercial heavy goods vehicles, but more recently in the residential areas. Vehicles usually are outside, in the dark (no power), and unprotected or poorly protected. Some batteries reported stolen have been stolen by staff before returning to premises (older diesel vehicles). Checks at the gates on entry, and better protection of batteries to delay/deter theft is an urgent requirement. When vehicles are parked cover with an alarm or lock up where possible. Many earlier solar systems have batteries outside. These will be the next target.
  • Fuel – In demand and can be traded for USD. More is stored on-site, and in many cases poorly controlled. Theft and abuse of fuel at the company level is on the rise. Pay close attention to controls and consumption.
  • ZESA Transformers – A regular and expensive loss for communities. We are working with many to protect these incredibly expensive assets, and happy to help where we can as a community project.

Target Areas

Msasa in Harare is a particularly violent and worrying area at present. Numerous robberies, break-in and theft incidents this past week. The other highlights are below

High-Risk Harare Suburbs

 Where are we Headed ?

If the trend follows last year, crime will escalate as the economy dips. 

The good news is that if you take a sensible and cautious approach to your safety and security you can significantly reduce the chances of an incident (as the stats show). No amount of money thrown at security and systems will prevent theft and damage if you are not security-aware.

Make use of your security systems, call the response team if you are nervous or see something out of the normal in your area, and be proactive in your approach.

If you would like to walk through your security at home or business, please do not hesitate to give us a call

Finally, reduce the stress and do not spread the security incidents circulating on social media unless you can verify the report (call us if unsure as we also check them out).

MONTHLY CRIME INCIDENT BREAKDOWN PER TYPE, AUGUST 2019 – JANUARY 2020
CRIME TYPE BREAKDOWN PER PROVINCE AND SUBURB, JANUARY 2020
JANUARY 2020 CRIME INCIDENT SUMMARIES

HARARE

26 January 2020, Armed Robbery, Residential Area, Tina Close, and Harare Drive, Chisipite:

Twelve (12) suspects, armed with iron bars, arrived on site and approached the guard. The suspects assaulted the guard and stole cable cables from the site. The defaced transformer was left on site.  

17 January 2020, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Leicester Road, Emerald Hill:

An unknown number of suspects forcibly gained access onto the premises and accosted the domestic worker. The suspects forced the domestic worker to inhale an unknown substance, which rendered her unconscious. The suspects locked the domestic worker and a child in one of the bedrooms before ransacking the house. 

15 January 2020, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Broadlands and Donegal Road, Emerald Hill:

Approximately, ten (10) male suspects wearing balaclavas, armed with long firearms, pistols, and revolvers accosted the male complainant as he entered the premises. The suspects disarmed a private security guard, held up the household and assaulted the complainants, as they demanded money. The suspects removed an undisclosed amount of money from the premises and fled the scene. It is believed the same group of suspects had scouted the premises prior to the incident and had the complainant had seen the suspects parked within the vicinity two days prior. 

21 January 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, 3rd Street, Avenues:

Three (3) suspects arrived on-site, smashed open the front glass door and removed an undisclosed amount of cellphones from the display units 

29 January 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Njenje Road, Makoni – Chitungwiza:

An unknown number of suspects forced open the gate and broke through the main door. The suspects removed a safe from the premises and fled the scene. 

24 January 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Beatrice Road, Harare South:

An unknown number of suspects arrived on-site, chased away the guard and forced open the [palisade bards to gain access into the base station. The suspects removed an undisclosed amount of premises before fleeing the scene. Alarm activated. 

27 January 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Street, Hatcliff:

An unknown number of suspects cut through the fence and removed an undisclosed amount of diesel from the premises. 

13 January 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Bond Street, Mount Pleasant:

An unknown number of suspects arrived on-site and broke through the front door of the shop. The suspects removed a cash box from the premises and when the response team arrived, the suspects hurled bricks at the team. The suspects fled the scene upon which the response team pursued the suspects. No apprehension was effected. 

30 January 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Unnamed Street, Mufakose:

An unknown number of suspects broke through the main door and removed an undisclosed amount of property from the premises. Alarm signal received. 

31 January 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Unnamed Street, Newlands Street:

Five (5) suspects armed with firearms arrived on site in a grey Honda Fit. The suspects broke through the glass door and removed a safe from the premises.

18 January 2020, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Mainway Meadows, Waterfalls:

An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises via an undisclosed access point and attempted to force open the veranda door. The suspects fled the scene when the alarm activated.

05 January 2020, Intruder, Residential Site, Cardiff Avenue, Belvedere North:

An intruder was apprehended after being found trespassing on site. Alarm signal activated.

28 January 2020, Intruder, Residential Site, Katoomba Road, Hatfield:

An unknown number of suspects gained access to the premises and attacked the dogs on site. The suspects proceeded to rattle the windows but did not access the premises. The suspects fled the scene, leaving behind a fatally injured dog.

23 January 2020, Intruder, Residential Site, Sudbury Avenue, Monavale:

An unknown number of suspects were heard trespassing on site. The suspects fled the scene before the response team arrived.

25 January 2020, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Seke Mutema Road, New Zengeza 5 – Chitungwiza:

Two (2) contractors were apprehended on site after attempting to remove the beer from the premises.

31 January 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Airport Road, Hatfield:

An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and removed grinders and compactors from the premises.

23 January 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Lewisam Avenue, Chisipite:

An unknown number of suspects gained access to the premises and removed a gas tank from the site.

10 January 2020, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Samora Machel, City Centre:

Security guards on duty apprehended an employee who was found dispatching goods without invoices.

26 January 2020, Attempted Theft, Residential site, Broadlands and Waterford Road, Emerald Hill:

An unknown number of suspects attempted to steal overhead power cables. The suspects were interrupted and fled the scene, leaving behind a pair of bolt-cutters.

20 January 2020, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Edison Crescent, Graniteside:

Three (3) suspects were apprehended after attempting to remove the mealie meal from the premises. The suspects were handed over to the police.

22 January 2020, Theft, Residential Site, Iffley Road, Greendale:

An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and stole 15 live chickens from the premises on separate occasions.

02 January 2020, Theft, Residential Area, Quendon Road, Mabelreign:

An unknown number of suspects removed 10 poles from a volleyball pitch on site. The suspects used a hacksaw to remove the poles from the pitch.

26 January 2020, Theft, Retail Site, Unnamed Street, Mbare:

An unknown number of suspects gained access to the premises and removed two iron poles from the site.

04 January 2020, Theft, Residential Area, Lezard Avenue, Milton Park:

Sporting attire was reported missing at the site, with no signs of a break-in.

16 January 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, George Drive, Msasa:

One (1) contractor was apprehended after CCTV footage revealed him removing and concealing a grinder that was taken from the premises.

30 January 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Coventry Road, Workington:

One (1) employee was apprehended after attempting to remove an undisclosed amount of meat taken from the site.

09 January 2020, Attempted Theft, Retail Site, Main Street, City Centre:

Two (2) suspects were caught on CCTV attempting to remove alcohol stolen from the site.

18 January 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Commercial Site, College Road, Alexandra Park:

An unknown number of suspects broke into a vehicle parked on-site and removed a handbag and books from the vehicle.

05 January 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Commercial Site, Ardbennie Road, Ardbennie:

An unknown number of suspects approached a vehicle parked on-site and removed an undisclosed amount of foreign currency from the vehicle.

17 January 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Retail Site, Hillside Road, Hillside:

An unknown number of suspects driving a red Nissan X-Trail with an unknown registration broke into a vehicle on-site and removed an undisclosed amount of personal belongings from the premises.

17 January 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Industrial Site, Auckland Road, Southerton:

Two (2) male suspects approached a vehicle parked on site and removed four (4) wheel covers from the vehicle before fleeing the scene. 

25 January 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Commercial Site, Reform Way, Willowvale:

Seven (7) suspects gained access onto the premises, tied up the guard and removed two (2) truck wheels from a truck parked on site. 

 

BULAWAYO

02 January 2020, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Alexander Road, Queens Park West:

Six (6) armed suspects gained access onto the premises and entered the house via the back door. The suspects held up, assaulted the complainants before removing an undisclosed amount of money and cellphones from the premises, and fled the scene.

19 January 2020, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Unnamed Road, Beitbridge:

An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and tampered with the main entrance locks. No losses reported.

12 January 2020, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Fife Street and 12TH Avenue, City Centre: 

An unknown number of suspects broke the front glass door but did not manage to remove anything from the premises.

10 January 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Fort Street, City Centre:

An unknown number of suspects driving a Toyota Spacio with an unknown registration broke open the front door of padlocks. The suspects removed an undisclosed amount of batteries from the premises and fled the scene.

25 January 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Hamilton Road, Famona: 

An unknown number of suspects broke the garage and kitchen door locks but did not manage to gain entry into the house.

25 January 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Napier Avenue, Hillside:

An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall and cut one (1) of the burglar bars but did not manage to enter the house as the alarm activated.

22 January 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Miles Road, Industria:

An unknown number of suspects gained access to the premises and removed five (5) crates of non-alcoholic beverages from the premises before fleeing the scene.

20 January 2020, Theft, Mining Site, Unnamed Road, Inyati:

An unknown number of suspects gained access to the premises and removed an undisclosed amount of virgin carbon from the premises.

24 January 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Bon Accord Road, Steeldale:

One (1) suspect was apprehended after being found in possession of concealed beverages on his person.

MANICALAND

30 January 2020, Attempting Break-in, Industrial Site, Cardiff Road, Nyakamete:

One (1) suspect broke the durawall panels to gain access to the premises. The suspect attempted to steal a wheel from the premises but was spotted by alert guards and fled the scene empty-handed.

26 January 2020, Attempted Break-in, Industrial Site, Park Road, Nyakamete:

An unknown number of suspects attempted to force open the gate and failed. No losses reported.

13 January 2020, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Vumba Road, Nyakamete:

Three (3) suspects forcibly gained access onto the site and accosted the guard on site. The suspects took the guard’s equipment and attempted to gain access to the workshop. No losses were reported as the workshop was well secured.

28 January 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Road, Vhengere – Rusape:

An unknown number of suspects forced open the palisade bars and removed eight (8) batteries from the premises.

28 January 2020, Attempted Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Road, Magamba – Rusape:

An unknown number of suspects forced open the palisade bars and attempted to remove batteries from the premises. However, the alarm activated causing the suspects to flee the scene.

27 January 2020, Attempted Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Road, Tsanzaguru – Rusape:

An unknown number of suspects forced open the palisade bars and attempted to remove batteries from the premises. The response team recovered two (2) batteries, which had been dumped outside the cage.

05 January 2020, Attempted Fraud/Theft, Commercial Site, Liverpool Road, Nyakamete:

One (1) contractor was apprehended after attempting to remove the unauthorised amount of alcohol, which he had purposefully omitted in the receiving book.

26 January 2020, Intruder, Commercial Site, Unnamed Road, Rusape:

Security apprehended one (1) suspect who was found loitering on site.

29 January 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Aerodrome Road, City Centre – Mutare:

An unknown number of suspects defaced and removed guarding equipment that was on the premises and fled the scene.

23 January 2020, Theft, Residential Site, Second Street, City Centre – Mutare:

An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and removed a blanket from the clothes line.

31 January 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, St Helens Drive, Nyakamete:

An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and removed bond paper from the premises.

31 January 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Park Road, Nyakamete:

An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and removed an undisclosed amount of maize meal from the premises.

27 January 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Unnamed Road, Sakubva:

An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall and removed an undisclosed amount of maize cobs from the center garden.

 

MIDLANDS

GWERU

 

02 January 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Unnamed Road, Gweru East:

An unknown number of suspects broke a window and removed an undisclosed amount of beer from the premises.

09 January 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Healthrow Road, Windsor Park:

An unknown number of suspects gained access to the premises after cutting the fence. The suspects approached a vehicle parked on site and smashed open a window. The alarm activated and the suspects fled the scene empty-handed.

09 January 2020, Theft, Commercial Site, Robert Mugabe Way, City Centre:

One (1) employee was implicated in the theft and illegal trade of diesel on the premises.  The suspect fled the scene when police arrived on site to investigate the matter.

07 January 2020, Attempted Theft, Retail Site, Main Street, City Centre:

Two (2) suspects were apprehended after attempting to remove alcohol from the premises.

25 January 2020, Attempted Theft, Mining Site, Unnamed Road, Shurugwi:

An unknown number of suspects attempted to steal a pump from the site. The guard fired a warning shot and the suspects fled the scene.

MASHONALAND WEST

CHINHOYI

05 January 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Chikonohono, Chinhoyi:

An unknown number of suspects arrived on site and tied up the guards on the premises. The suspects forced open the palisade bars and removed ten (10) batteries from the site.