Safeguard Crime Report – November 2024

OVERVIEW

A reminder that the incidents we report are those that we have verified. This report is a good indicator of crime across the county but by no means captures all incidents.

• A 21% decrease in criminal incidents since October, with November crime rate still high compared to the yearly trend.
• Armed robberies have slightly decreased, but the lack of real care in protection of cash remains a deep concern.
• Armed robberies have shown a consistent pattern of insider knowledge concerning the locations of cash, and the security for this cash. The rate of success related to cash is high.
• Residential properties account for 25 % of all reported incidents. This is down on prior months, but we have seen an increase in armed robberies occurring at residential sites. A reminder though that as businesses move into residential areas, the crime that follows the money and is getting closer to home.
• The majority of reported criminal activities still occur between 1700 and 0500 hours.
• Largely unreported are the crimes that occur during the day, as we are usually not called. These cases are usually the result of poor access control.
• A trend is that most intrusions are through a weak perimeter, and the higher potential losses linked to little or no security measures in place, or measures in place and not active for one reason or another. Notably a guard at night inside a weak perimeter is not enough to prevent loss.
• Not listed as part of the incident count is a growing number of internal theft cases reported.
• Solar batteries and panels feature more regularly in the incidents reported. They usually are outside the security system and not alarmed.

MODUS OPERANDI/METHOD OF EXECUTION AND TARGETED ITEMS

HIGH RISK SITUATIONS

GENERAL ADVISORY

• Layers of security to avoid a single point of failure.
• A good deterrent perimeter. With the rains here soon, cut back foliage to reduce interference with electric fencing, and deny a hidden approach to your perimeter.
• Have some lighting around your access points – solar DIY is good for most applications and readily available at the major hardware retailers.
• Do not keep cash on site. You will lose it unless exceptionally well secured. The risks of large cash holdings at home are simply not worth it.
• Systems and their connectivity, reporting, and reliability have moved on tremendously this past year. If you have an older system, be aware that simple cost effective upgrades are available and are easy to use. The simpler and more accessible systems are, the higher the chance that you will use them, and the safer you will be.
• With serious power cuts make sure that your electronic security systems have good power and back up and will trigger a response where possible (alarms, fences, gates, access control and booms, CCTV, lighting).
• If you have CCTV on site connect it to the response centre so that they can see what is happening when an alarm is activated. This is ESSENTIAL for commercial premises and is our consistent and longstanding advice

These initial checks on electronic security you can manage yourself without the need to call for an onsite technician/specialist. A few ideas for you.

• call in for advice on your systems (WhatsApp/telephone – use the 086 number /email),
• If you have an alarm and response download the Safeguard App which will allow you to test your alarm without the need for a technical call, and receive alerts on the status of your system (power, battery, signals, armed or not).
• If needed get someone to come in and deal with the issues you have identified.

OUTLOOK

Thank you for using Safeguard.

The Safeguard Team

MONTHLY BREAKDOWN

TOWN/SUBURB BREAKDOWN

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TOWN/SUBURB BREAKDOWN (CONT.)

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TOWN/SUBURB BREAKDOWN (CONT.)

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PROVINCE BREAKDOWN OF CRIME

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Bulawayo

Theft – 01 November 2024, Time Unknown, Manningdale, Bulawayo: At a business site an unknown number of intruders entered the premises by jumping over the durawall and proceeded to force open the kitchen door. The intruders stole a solar battery and fled from the site.

Theft – 04 November 2024, Time Unknown, Westondale, Bulawayo: At a business site an unknown number of intruders stole 13 containers of lubricants. Investigations are ongoing if this was internal or external theft.

Suspicious Person – 06 November 2024, 0120hrs, Zvishavane: At a business site the guard on site reported seeing a moving object on the roof and requested the reaction team to come to site. Upon investigation the person has absconded.

Theft – 08 November 2024, Time Unknown, Belmont, Bulawayo: At a business site an unknown number of intruders cut the palisade fence to gain access to the property. They found a ladder on the premises and used it to climb onto the roof where they broke through. The safe was located and a grinder was used to open it, but there was no cash inside. The intruders then proceeded to steal food stuffs from the fridges and a welding machine from the workshop.

Attempted Theft – 11 November 2024, 1646hrs, Makokoba, Bulawayo: At a business site an employee reported seeing another employee throwing 2 x double socket wall plugs over the wall. A search was done and the two wall plugs were found over the wall. The items were returned to management for further investigations.

Theft – 13 November 2024, 0600hrs, CBD, Bulawayo: At a residential site a tenant’s car was parked outside, and an unknown number of thieves stole 4 tires, a battery, and fuel from the vehicle.

Armed Robbery – 13 November 2024, 2046hrs, Woodlands, Bulawayo: At a residential site the tenant was in his black Honda Fit as he was waiting for the gate to open. An unknown number of armed robbers confronted the tenant assaulted him and stole the Honda Fit. Investigations are ongoing currently.

Armed Robbery – 14 November 2024, 0145hrs, CBD, Bulawayo: At a business site three robbers armed with a pistol drove a Nissan Note to a fuelling station where they pointed their pistol at the fuel attendant and demanded all the cash and cell phones on their person.

Theft – 18 November 2024, Time Unknown, Avenue, Bulawayo: At a business site an employee noticed that two truck tires were missing and reported the incident. Investigations are ongoing with the police to determine if this was an internal or external theft.

Theft – 21 November 2024, 0500hrs, Leamington, Bulawayo: At a business site the guard on site was conducting patrols and found bags containing beer products by the fence. Many items were recovered and returned; however, it is suspected that other products were stolen successfully. Investigations done revealed an employee that was subcontracted for the company stole the product and was arrested and sent to ZRP Donnington Police station.

Suspicious Person – 29 November 2024, 2356hrs, Makokoba, Bulawayo: At a business site the guard reported hearing a disturbance at a nearby address. The response team deployed and found four suspects running away from a property-carrying tools. The response team chased down the suspects, but failed to catch them, but found tools used to break into the property. The tools were taken to the local police station.

Armed Robbery – 30 November 2024, 2145hrs, Kelvin West, Bulawayo: At a business site eight intruders armed with pistols approached the guard in the guard room tied his hands behind his back, and took his radio using it to send false reports to the control room. Two robbers stayed with the guard while the others broke into the premises. At 0230 an alarm was triggered on the site. The reaction team arrived on the site and one guard entered the property and was captured by the suspects. The response driver drove away from the site and called for the armed response team. At that time the suspects fled the site as they knew further armed guards were arriving. Damages to the door, windowpanes, and screen bars were found, but no property was reported stolen.

Harare

Theft – 02 November 2024, 0255hrs, Greystone Park, Harare: At a residential site an unknown number of intruders jumped over the durawall to gain access to the property. The intruders then attempted to steal the gate motor when they triggered the alarm system upon tampering with the gate motor cover. The intruders fled from the property when the alarm activated.

Theft – 04 November 2024, 2211hrs, Mabelreign, Harare: At a residential site a panic signal was received and the response team deployed to site. Two intruders entered the property via a busy area and jumped over the durawall. They then proceeded to break the glass door to the dining room where they entered and stole a laptop bag containing a laptop, USD cash, wallet, and documents. The client and family managed to secure themselves in a room and press the panic button. When the team arrived, the intruders had fled.

Theft – 05 November 2024, 0031hrs, Alexandra Park, Harare: At a business site 7 intruders armed with an unknown type of weapon scaled the durawall to gain access to the property. They proceeded to where the guard was located, disarmed him taking his weapon and tying him up. The intruders proceeded to enter the building through the roof where they located the alarm system and vandalized it to avoid detection. They managed to break into a safe with a grinder and stole a large sum of USD cash from the site.

Theft – 05 November 2024, 0530hrs, Southerton, Harare: At a business site while conducting patrols the guard noticed that two durawall panels were broken and used by intruders to gain access to the premises. Further inspections revealed that two generator batteries were stolen from the site.

Armed Robbery – 06 November 2024, 0032hrs, Southerton, Harare: At a business site the guards on site heard gunshots coming from a neighbouring property. The guards pressed the panic button, and the response team deployed to the site. Upon arrival, it was discovered that police were on scene when they were told of robbers by kids in the area. The police fired warning shots, and the robbers fired a shot back and fled from the site. It is unknown at this time if there was any property stolen.

Theft – 06 November 2024, 1933hrs, Mandara, Harare: At a business site an unknown number of intruders stole power cables to a Zesa Transformer and security equipment at the location.

Attempted Theft – 07 November 2024, 2123hrs, Glen Lorne, Harare: Residents in the area reported to have caught a man attempting to dig up TelOne cables for the purpose of stealing them. The man was in possession of a pick, shovel, and hacksaw. Safeguard Response went to the location of the incident and arrested the man. He was then transported to Highlands Police Station.

Theft – 07 November 2024, 0243hrs, Mount Pleasant, Harare: At a business site an unknown number of intruders forced open the main door and gained access to the building. The intruders went through the offices and stole three desktops and one apple computer.

Theft – 07 November 2024, 1125hrs, Willowvale, Harare: At a business site the guard on site reported that the steel lid covering the borehole pump was stolen when he conducted his security checks. It is unknown at this time how many intruders were on site or how they gained access.

Theft – 08 November 2024, 0138hrs, Marlborough, Harare: Along Princess Margaret Road an unknown number of thieves lifted a manhole cover with the assistance of a vehicle. They then proceeded to steal Tel One cables.

Theft – 08 November 2024, 0830hrs, CBD, Harare: At a business site client called stating that their site was broken into during the night. The alarm system was set off at 1810hrs and the owner cancelled the reaction team going to the site as he suspected it was a false alarm. A small child crawled under the screen door and opened the main entrance. From there they located the siren and alarm cables and cut them to avoid setting off the alarm. The two intruders stole USD cash from the till cash box.

Theft – 09 November 2024, 2218hrs, Southerton, Harare: At a business site an unknown number of intruders attempted to gain access to the premises but failed. While attempting to gain access they trigger the outside beams and damaged the gutter. They proceeded to steal a solar light that was mounted on the perimeter. The response team deployed to the site and noticed a machete was lying near where the incident occurred.

Armed Robbery – 11 November 2024, 0001hrs, Graniteside, Harare: At a business site four intruders wearing ski masks armed with one firearm made entry onto the property by jumping over the durawall. The four subdued the guard at gunpoint and tied him up. The intruders forced open the main solid door with an iron bar. The screen door was cut open using a grinder allowing them access to the office space. While in the main office the intruders located the NVR and alarm system and took them. They then proceeded to the cash office and opened it with a grinder where they found the key to the safe and stole a large sum of USD. Prior to this event the safe key was in the same room as the safe and the alarm system was not armed.

Attempted Theft – 12 November 2024, 0124hrs, Mount Pleasant, Harare: At a residential site an unknown number of intruders were seen by the homeowner. The homeowner fired warning shots and the intruders fled from the site. The homeowner requested the response team to do a check of the property. No physical signs of a break-in were found.

Attempted Theft – 13 November 2024, 0403hrs, Mount Pleasant, Harare: At a residential site an alarm signal was received and the reaction team deployed to the site. An unknown number of intruders attempted to gain access to the premises by cutting the 5 strand electric fence. This triggered the alarm system, and the intruders fled from the scene.

Theft – 12 November 2024, 2353hrs, Borrowdale, Harare: At a residential site an unknown number of intruders entered the premises by jumping over the durawall. They proceeded to break down the kitchen door where the solar equipment was located. The intruders stole 1 x lithium battery, groceries, and a packet of meat. 676 whisper close.

Smash and Grab – 16 November 2024, 1738hrs, Alexander Park, Harare: At a business site a robber broke into the passenger door of a white Fortuner. The robbers stole a bag from the vehicle which contained documents.

Attempted Theft – 16 November 2024, 2249hrs, CBD, Harare: At a business site an unknown number of intruders forced open a warehouse metal door. The guards on noticed this during their patrol and pressed the panic button. While on site the reaction team called the owner for access into the building and was denied access stating they would tend to the scene in the morning. No property has been reported stolen.

Attempted Theft – 16 November 2024, 2354hrs, Borrowdale, Harare: At a residential site a panic signal was received, and the response team deployed to the site. An unknown number of intruders used the neighbour’s yard to hide themselves while they removed 5 panels of durawall to avoid detection of the electrical fence. The intruders tried to use sharp objects to force open the door, but this alerted the owner, and he pressed the panic button. The intruders fled from the site before the response team arrived.

Theft – 17 November 2024, 1530hrs, Kambanji, Harare: At a residential site the owner called stating that during the night an unknown number of intruders cut the fence to gain access to the property. The intruders then made their way to where the water pump was located and stole it. The area surrounding the water pump did not have alarm coverage.

Theft – 19 November 2024, 1630hrs, Prospect, Harare: At a residential site the homeowner phoned requesting the response team as there had been a break-in. While on site the reaction team searched the property and did not find any visible signs of a break-in. The owner stated that there was cash missing from the cash box that was hidden. The incident was reported to the local police station.

Theft – 19 November 2024, 1025hrs, Kuwadzana, Harare: At a business site an unknown number of intruders broke into the base station and stole a generator battery. It is suspected the intruders climbed over the security wall as there were not visible signs of a break in and the generator was still running.

Theft – 20 November 2024, 0530hrs, Borrowdale, Harare: At a business site a panic signal was received, and the response team deployed to the site. An unknown number of intruders cut the 4 strands of electrical fence and gained entry. They proceeded to the glass door of the building and cut a hole in the glass big enough to fish out the door key which was in reach of the door. Once unlocking the door, the intruders took 2 laptops, bags containing school items, credit cards, USD cash, projector, and a tv. The alarm system was not armed during the time of the incident.

Theft – 21 November 2024, 0014hrs, Queensdale, Harare: At a business site a video alarm was received, and the response team deployed to the site. The private security guard was seen tied up in the guard room and stated four intruders assaulted him and tide him up. They proceeded to cut the palisade bar and went inside of the booster station where they took one lithium battery and fled the site due to the alarm going off.

Smash and Grab – 21 November 2024, 1120hrs, Belvedere, Harare: At a residential site a technical vehicle was parked outside while completing a job. When the driver returned to the vehicle, he found the back canopy window was shattered. It is suspected that the one who smashed the window was looking for items he could sell, but we found that all property was accounted for. A police report was filed with Harare Central.

Assault – 20 November 2024, 2340hrs, Coughlan, Harare: At a Cal de sac (Close) a vehicle was entering past the boom gate when two other vehicles sped in behind them and cut them off. The suspects stated they were police officers from drug enforcement (This was false information later confirmed by the police). They searched the women and children and left without taking anything.

Suspicious Vehicle – 22 November 2024, 0011hrs, Waterfalls, Harare: At a business site a guard on site pressed his panic button for assistance after noticing a motorist leave their motorbike on the property without permission or warning. The owner left the scene leaving behind the vehicle.

Armed Robbery – 22 November 2024, 2034hrs, Sherwood Park, Harare: At a residential site three armed intruders bent back three posts for the electrical fence to gain access to the property. There was no Zesa at site and the alarm did not trigger. Once on site the resident’s dogs barked at the intruders and the resident decided to go outside and investigate. Upon going outside the resident was ambushed by the three intruders who pointed a firearm at the person and demanded cash. The resident stated they had no money and convinced the intruders to let them put the dogs inside the house so they would stop barking. Once the dogs were inside the resident quickly locked the doors and hit the panic button sounding the siren. The intruders quickly fled from the site and no property was stolen. The reaction team deployed to site and the Avondale police tended to the site.

Theft – 25 November 2024, 0301hrs, Avondale, Harare: At a business site an unknown number of intruders gained access to the premises through unknown means. Once on the property, they used a sharp object to force open the reception door and broke a small window. The intruders stole a desktop computer and fled from the premises.

Theft – 25 November 2024, 2151hrs, Norton, Harare: At a business site a fuel attendant serviced a customer and supplied 200 litres of diesel fuel. When the vehicle departed the fuel attendant noticed that the money received was fake USD notes. The Norton police officers were notified and tended to the scene.

Attempted Theft– 25 November 2024, 0447hrs, Marondera, Harare: At a residential site an alarm signal was received and the response team deployed to the site. Upon arrival, it was discovered that an unknown number of intruders used a chair to reach the electrical fence and cut it. The siren from the electrical fence sounded and the intruders fled from the premises with no property stolen.

Theft– 25 November 2024, 2315hrs, Ardbennie, Harare: At a business site the guards were conducting patrols when three intruders entered the premises and made their way to the guard room where they stole a panic button, two cell phones.

Attempted Theft– 25 November 2024, 2339hrs, Msasa, Harare: At a business site the guard on post activated his panic button after suspecting there were intruders on site. The reaction team along with the guard conducted patrols on the premises and found the electrical fence was broken at the corner of the property. It is presumed upon panic activation the intruders fled from the site as there was no visible damage to the main building.

Theft – 26 November 2024, 2303hrs, Southerton, Harare: At a business site three intruders pounced on the guard in the guard booth and stole 2 x baton sticks and 2 x smartphones. The guard pressed the panic button during the assault which caused the intruders to flee from the property. The reaction team deployed to the site and conducted a patrol of the property and found all intruders had fled.

Attempted Theft – 22 November 2024, 2000hrs, Westondale, Harare: At a business site three suspects were arrested for falsifying documentation of received goods. They inflated numbers to steal goods for themselves. The suspects were taken to ZRP.

Armed Robbery – 29 November 2024, 0213hrs, Vainona, Harare: At a business site an employee was attacked outside of the premises by 6 intruders armed with unknown weapons. The victim shouted for help from residents, and they ran to help. The local authorities have tended to the incident.

Assault – 30 November 2024, 0626hrs, Highland Park, Harare: A guard reported to the control room that a fellow guard was attacked when he was returning home from work. The victim was assaulted by a mob of people, and it is unclear what items were stolen at this time. The victim was transported to Parirenyatwa Hospital via Ace Ambulance where he received treatment for his injuries.

Theft – 30 November 2024, 1106hrs, Kuwadzana, Harare: At a business site an alarm signal was received, and the response team was deployed to the site. It was discovered that diesel was stolen from the site through unknown means.

Manicaland

Theft – 01 November 2024, 0012, Mutare, Manicaland: At a business site a truck driver reported that his trailer was broken into and a 50kg bag of fertilizer was stolen. It is presumed that this occurred off-premises as the driver drove onto the site and made the report.

Attempted Theft – 12 November 2024, 2208hrs, Mutare, Manicaland: At a business site an alarm reaction was received, and the response team deployed to the site. The response team found on site that the palisade bars were bent that housed the generator. The cameras were turned upwards, and a motorbike was found nearby. The reaction team observed a Honda Fit with four occupants circling the area. The police were being uplifted to the site when the suspects jumped onto the bike and made their escape. No property was reported stolen.

Attempted Theft – 15 November 2024, 2130, Mutare, Manicaland: At a business site the guard on the post was conducting his patrols when he found a suspect carrying drinks at an unusual hour and asked the person what they were doing. The suspect stayed quiet and put the drinks down and fled from the site. The guard then returned the goods to the owner and informed him of the situation.

Armed Robbery – 18 November 2024, 0356, Mutare, Manicaland: At a business site intruders armed with machetes and crowbars approached the fuel attendant and the private security guard tying them up. They proceeded into the office where another fuel attendant was located and took the panic button from him and tied him up. The intruders then proceeded to break into the safe with the crowbar and stole an undisclosed amount of cash.

Attempted Theft – 25 November 2024, 2100hrs, Mkoba, Midlands: At a business site an alarm signal was received, and the reaction team deployed to the site. On arrival, it was discovered that the armored cable was cut and left hanging. The intruders fled from the site prior to the arrival of the response team due to the alarm sounding.

Attempted Theft – 23 November 2024, Time unknown, Mutare, Manicaland: At a business site the response team was conducting vehicle patrols in the area where they found a suspect near our client’s business holding two x twenty litre containers which were empty and a hose pipe. Upon seeing the reaction team, the suspect dropped the items and fled from the area. The response team collected the items as evidence and advised the client.

Theft – 29 November 2024, 2330hrs, Mutare, Manicaland: At a business site the guard on site noticed an intruder on the premises and chased the intruder over the durawall. A search of the property was conducted and found that a door was broken. It was found that a laptop, tablet, and cell phone were stolen.

Masvingo

No reports currently.

Midlands

Attempted Theft – 04 November 2024, 2345, Gweru, Midlands: At a business site the client advised the control room that there were illegal miners on site and failed to chase them away. The control room dispatched the reaction team and when they arrived on site managed to disperse the illegal miners.

Attempted Theft – 16 November 2024, Time Unknown, Gweru, Midlands: At a business site the CCTV operator noticed a shoplifter attempting to steal cabling from the shop. The guards on site went and arrested the suspect and investigations are underway.

Mashonaland East

Armed Robbery – 03 November 2024, 1800hrs, Goromonzi, Mashonaland East: At a residential site 6 intruders armed with two pistols and four machetes cut the diamond fence and entered the premises. They proceeded to enter the house through a back door which was open at the time. The husband, wife, and son were tied together while some received a beating. The husband was forced around the house at gunpoint while the intruders ransacked the house looking for cash and valuables. The intruders stole a large sum of USD cash, two laptops, three iPhones, beer, and jewellery. The client was able to press their panic button after the intruders fled from the site.

Theft – 05 November 2024, 0426hrs, Marondera, Mashonaland East: At a residential site a panic signal was received and the response team deployed to site. When the owner awoke in the morning, they noticed that intruders broke the kitchen door and entered the house. Two laptops and a plasma TV were stolen. The alarm system was not armed during the night. It is suspected that the intruders jumped over the durawall to gain access to the property.