SEPTEMBER 2020 OVERVIEW
There was a big jump in the incident count this month: The number of robberies doubled, and break in and theft incidents were up by 50%
This trend is likely to continue in the upcoming months as we head towards the festive season.
There was a reported increase in the use of firearms, with one (1) fatality reported
Harare reported a surge in crime incidents at residential premises in what appears to be an increase in opportunistic crime as criminals target everything from batteries, gate motors, cellphones to chairs and swimming pool umbrellas making all households a possible target if not adequately secured.
In contrast, Bulawayo reported an increase in incidents at remote and unguarded sites and industrial/commercial premises (following the surge in these incidents in Harare a few months back), so if you have sites in these categories give further thought to their protection.
*Please note, a majority of the incidents received by Safeguard are from the Harare province as the statistics below reflect.
NATIONWIDE AND HARARE CRIME STATS
CRIME BREAKDOWN BY MONTH
HIGH-RISK AREAS
TARGETS
Hard cash remains a popular target amongst criminals. Individuals that handle large amounts of foreign currency or operate or own businesses that have a high foreign currency remain vulnerable targets.
Batteries, fuel and gate motors remain a common target at all sites.
MODUS OPERANDI
Unprotected or low walls remain vulnerable access points. Consider perimeter protection for early warning of intrusion.
SECURITY ALERT
29 September 2020, Suspicious Vehicle, Commercial Site, Josiah Tongogara Road, Palmerston: Two (2) males parked a white double cab on site and proceeded to knock on one (1) of the building doors and started banging on the doors. The resident refused to open and one (1) of the males went around the building and at the same time the electricity went off and the pumps and cameras shut down. The reaction team was dispatched to the site after the alarm activated.
LOOKING AHEAD
Property owners are urged to be vigilant and wary of who knows of their household activities, security systems and business operations, as most criminals usually rely on inside information. Additionally, property should be locked up to avoid opportunistic theft on premises.
Functioning alarm systems allow for the early detection of intruders and panic buttons allow for a quick response. Whilst this will not always prevent theft it certainly deters, reduces time on site, and provides the back-up needed for people on site.
The rains have started. With this comes power outages, and false alarms.
– Cut back foliage from fence lines and near outside sensors and keep this maintenance in place
– Check power back up and make sure you have sufficient power for your systems – if your alarm triggers when ZESA drops out or in you need to look at your batter. Think solar for longer term solution, and if you have solar power for your house make sure the security systems are connected
Start to think about the holiday period ahead, and if you would like to walk through your security at home or business, please do not hesitate to give us a call.
Thank you for using Safeguard
The Safeguard Team
SEPTEMBER 2020 INCIDENT SUMMARIES
HARARE
12 September 2020, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Edmonds Avenue, Belvedere:
Seven (7) male suspects dressed in what is believed to be army uniform and masks entered the premises, armed with weapons including an AK47. The suspects tackled the male suspects and handcuffed the complaints. One (1) of the complainants had managed to call for help before being dragged downstairs. Two (2) males responded to the call and a shootout ensued. One (1) of the respondents was shot and is currently in hospital whilst the other was grazed by a bullet in the head. The suspects fled the scene. Unfortunately, the wounded responded eventually succumbed to the gunshot wounds.
14 September 2020, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Mull Road, Belvedere North:
Two (2) male intruders wearing masks and gloves, forced open the kitchen doors and entered the house. The intruders were armed with a handgun and a crowbar and attacked one (1) of the female residents. The residents were tied up and the intruders proceeded to remove foreign currency, a malfunctioned gold watch, a handgun and ammunition from the premises. The suspects fled the scene. One (1) injury reported. Panic signal received.
11 September 2020, Robbery, Public Location, Graniteside:
Guards responded to screams outside the premises and found a female complainant who informed the guards that she had been robbed of money. The complainant reported that she had boarded a silver Nissan March which was enroute Chitungwiza. The occupants had forcibly demanded money from her and dropped her off along Telford Road.
01 September 2020, Robbery, Residential Site, Wallis Road, Mandara:
At around 19:00hours, approximately three (3) to four (4) unarmed male suspects entered the premises via the gate (it is unknown if the gate was locked). The suspects entered the house and forced the occupants into a room, whilst demanding money. The suspects took foreign currency from the premises and fled the scene. No alarm installed on site.
30 September 2020, Robbery, Residential Site, Lyndhurst Road, Monavale:
An unknown number of intruders forced open the gate and access the house through an open cage. The suspects tied up the residents before taking a generator, eight (8) cellphones, some foreign currency, a smart television, clothing, footwear and a blanket from the residence. The intruders fled the scene and the residents pressed the panic button after the incident. Panic signal received response team dispatched.
13 September 2020, Robbery, Industrial Site, Maputi and Munhondo Road, Ruwa:
An unknown number of suspects broke the durawall panels and struck a private guard with an unknown object and took his cellphone. The suspects broke a window and cut the burglar bars to access the offices. The alarm activated and the suspects fled the scene. The response team found the guard unconscious and the police responded to the scene
03 September 2020, Attempted Robbery, Commercial Site, Dart Road, Vainona:
At around 19:15, four (4) suspects cut the fence and scaled over the durawall. The complainant saw the suspects enter the house through the CCTV before a shootout ensued. One (1) of the suspects was injured during the shootout and the suspects fled the scene empty-handed. Armed police officers were deployed to site and a perimeter search was conducted following the blood trail leading to the arrest of one (1) suspect. No alarm installed on site.
23 September 2020, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Chilten Drive, Waterfalls:
Approximately seven (7) or eight (8) armed male intruders cut the electric fence and entered the premises. The intruders broke the veranda screen doors and main dining room door to enter the house. The intruders tied up the residents and forced a female resident into the bedroom whilst demanding money. The female was struck over the head with a blunt object and an undisclosed amount of money, United States Dollars, and a cellphone were taken from the premises. One (1) of the residents had managed to press the panic button and when the response team arrived, the intruders fired several shots at the team. The response team reported to Waterfalls police station and picked up police officers to respond to the team.
03 September 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, St Annes Road, Avondale:
An unknown number of suspects scaled the durawall and removed a gate motor from the premises. Alarm did not activate.
03 September 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Missenden Road, Bluff Hill:
An unknown number of suspects cut through the electric fence and stole a 5 000litre water tank from the premises.
30 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Kingsmere Close, Borrowdale:
An unknown unknown number of suspects cut the fence to access the site. The fence alarm activated and the intruders fled the scene. No losses reported. Alarm signal received, response dispatched.
17 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Giraffe Crescent, Borrowdale West:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and forced open the kitchen door. The alarm activated and the suspects fled the scene empty handed. Alarm signal received.
27 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Base Station, 1st Street and Tamuka Street, Dzivaresekwa:
An unknown number of intruders broke through the palisade bars but failed to remove anything from the site. External guard on site, no alarm activation.
02 September 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Sandford Crescent, Eastlea:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the main door and removed two (2) laptops, one (1) monitor and money ($100USD) from the premises.
22 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Leitrim Crescent, Eastlea North:
An unknown number of intruders jumped over the durawall and cut the padlock for the back office. The intruders did not manage to open the door and fled the scene empty handed. No alarm activation received, resident called for response after the incident.
30 September 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Unnamed Road, Epworth:
An unknown number of suspects broke through a window and removed a gas stove and some undisclosed property from the site.
12 September 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Glen View 6:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the palisade bars and removed batteries from the base station.
20 September 2020, Break-in, Industrial Site, Dhlela Way, Graniteside:
A mentally unwell person was arrested after breaking into the premises.
08 August 2020, Attempted Break-in, Retail Site, Kelvin North and Cam Road, Graniteside:
An unknown number of suspects accessed the property through a damaged part of the durawall. The suspects forced open the main door causing the alarm to activate. The suspects fled the scene empty-handed.
10 September 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Heights Close, Greystone Park:
An unknown number of suspects jumped the perimeter fence, accessed the premises and removed a gate motor and circuit boards from the premises. No alarm installed.
06 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Orange Grove Drive, Highlands:
An unknown number of suspects vandalised the alarm and attempted to enter the premises. The owner of the property heard the noise and fired three (3) warning shots and the suspects fled the scene.
15 September 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Tarlington Road, Marlborough:
An intruder jumped over the durawall, broke through a window and removed a printer from the dining room. The owner woke up and found the intruder in the house. The intruder dropped the printer and fled the scene. Ten (10) litres of fuel was also removed from the premises. Panic signal received.
05 September 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Street Mbare:
An unknown number of intruders cut through the palisade bars causing the alarm to activate. The intruders siphoned an undisclosed amount of diesel from the generator. The alarm activated and the intruders fled the scene. Alarm signal received, response team dispatched.
08 August 2020, Attempted Break-In, Residential Site, Broadlands Road, Mount Pleasant:
An unknown number of suspects cut through the electric fence but failed to remove anything from the premises.
26 September 2020, Break-in, Industrial Site, Martin Drive, Msasa:
An unknown number of intruders cut through the fence. The intruders used a bolt cutter to cut through the warehouse doors and removed eleven (11) boxes of pesticide from the site. Guards on site.
14 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Industrial Site, Borgward Road, Msasa:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises via an undisclosed access point and forced open the window and cut through the burglar bar. The suspects failed to enter the building and fled the scene.
27 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Industrial Site, Craster Road, Southerton:
An unknown number of intruders damaged the durawall causing the alarm to activate. The response team was dispatched to the site but it could not ascertain what had been taken from the site.
02 September 2020, Break-in, Industrial Site, Manchester Road, Southerton:
A private guard and an undisclosed number of suspects were seen on CCTV removing an undisclosed number of bags from the site. The individuals had accessed the premises through a broken portion of the durawall.
13 September 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Enterprise Road, The Grange:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall and broke two (2) windows. The suspects took a power bank before the alarm activated and fled the scene.
30 September 2020, Break-in, Base Station, 2nd Avenue, Warren Park 1:
An unknown number of intruders broke through the palisade bars and cut through the razor wire to access the site. The intruders attempted to siphon diesel by vandalising the generator but the alarm activated and the intruders fled the scene. Alarm signal received, response team dispatched. An external guard mans the site.
27 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Industrial Site, Affirmative Way, Willowvale:
An unknown number of intruders damaged the durawall panels. An alert guard saw the intruders and the intruders fled the scene. No losses reported. Guard on site.
06 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Industrial Site, Barking Road, Willowvale:
Two (2) suspects broke through the durawall and entered the premises. An alert guard saw the suspects and raised alarm, causing the suspects to flee the scene empty-handed. It appears the suspects were targeting the submersible pump
22 September 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Craster Road, Southerton:
An unknown number of suspects removed a hosepipe that had been left outside the premises.
MASHONALAND EAST
25 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Industrial Site, Munhondo Street, Ruwa:
An unknown number of intruders damaged two (2) durawall panels to gain access onto the site. An employee on site saw the damaged panels and pressed the panic button. The intruders fled the scene and no losses were reported on site. Panic signal received, response team dispatched.
MATABELELAND
22 September 2020, Attempted Armed Robbery, Industrial Site, Chatham Road, Belmont:
Four (4) suspects approached a guard on duty and one (1) of the suspects pulled out a firearm and threatened to shoot the guard. The suspects then retreated and fled in a vehicle of an undisclosed make and colour.
01 September 2020, Break-in, Retail Site, Plumtree Road, Belmont:
An unknown number of intruders accessed the building through the roof and removed an undisclosed amount of stock from the premises.
09 September 2020, Break-in, Commercial Site, Fife Street, City Centre:
An unknown number of intruders gained access onto the premises through an undisclosed access point. The alarm activated and the intruders fled the scene empty handed. The reaction team was deployed to the site and the team retrieved a bolt cutter and explosives on site.
06 September 2020, Break-in, Retail Site, Unnamed Road, City Centre:
An unknown number of intruders broke through the display window causing the alarm to activate. The intruders removed an undisclosed amount of groceries from the premises. The goods were recovered behind a durawall close to the shop.
06 September 2020, Break-in, Retail Site, Unnamed Road, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects removed the window and fished out satchels and clothing from the premises. The alarm activated and the intruders fled the scene.
28 September 2020, Break-in, industrial Site, Steelworks Road and Nugget Road, Donnington:
An unknown number of intruders accessed the premises and entered the building through the window. The suspects removed footwear and a desktop from the premises and fled the scene.
22 September 2020, Break-in, Industrial Site, Steelworks Road and Nugget Road, Donnington:
An unknown number of intruders entered the premises via the window and removed a vehicle battery from the premises before fleeing the scene.
06 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Base Station, Magwegwe:
At least two (2) intruders forced open the palisade bars causing the alarm to activate. The response team was dispatched to the station and the intruders fled the scene upon the team’s arrival. The response team recovered batteries, a crowbarn and two (2) twenty-five litre containers on the premises.
08 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Parklands Road, Parklands:
An unknown number of intruders cut through the electric fence causing the alarm to activate. The intruders fled the scene empty handed.
10 September 2020, Break-in, Base Station, St Martins Drive, Rangemore:
An unknown number of suspects cut through the palisade bars and removed an undisclosed amount of equipment from the site.
19 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Industrial Site, Steel Works Road, Steeldale:
An unknown number of intruders cut through the electric fence and accessed the premises. An alert guard saw the breach and raised alarm. The intruders fled the scene empty handed.
01 September 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Pauling Road, Suburbs:
An unknown number of intruders accessed the premises and used a metal bar to force open the dining room window. The occupant heard the noise and went to investigate. Upon discovery, the intruders fled the scene with a cellphone. The occupant pressed the panic button and the response team was dispatched to the site.
20 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Industrial Site, Woodbury Road, Thorngrove:
An unknown number of intruders removed the durawall panels but failed to remove anything from the site as the alarm activated and the intruders fled the scene.
19 September 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Knobthorn Road, Thorngrove:
An unknown number of intruders cut through the palisade bars and removed a battery from the site.
23 September 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Walbrooke and Redthorn Road, Thorngrove:
An unknown number of intruders forced open the palisade bars and removed an undisclosed amount of batteries from the site.
27 September 2020, Intrusion, Mining Site, Coghlan Avenue, Killarney:
An alert guard saw a group of intruders on site and raised alarm. The intruders fled the scene.
29 September 2020, Theft, Mining Site, Unnamed Road, Inyati:
The guard on duty reported that eight (8) 30litre containers had been stolen from the site.
09 September 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Basch Street, Steeldale:
It was reported that twenty-four (24) two litre cooking oil bottles from the site.
11 September 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Steel Works Road, Steeldale:
Approximately four (4) intruders cut the fence on site and fled the scene.
22 September 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Steel Works Road, Steeldale:
A computer was reported missing from the premises it is yet to be confirmed how the computer was removed from, the site.
27 September 2020, Attempted Theft, Industrial Site, Worburn Road, Thorngrove:
An intruder accessed the site and attempted to remove metal from the yard. An alert guard saw the intruder and raised alarm, causing the intruder to flee the scene.
02 September 2020, Theft, Retail Site, Yellowwood Lane, Woodlands:
Three (3) men driving a white Mazda Axle registration AES 1717 arrived on site and pretended to park on the premise near another parked vehicle. As soon as the occupant exited the vehicle with a bag, one (1) of the male suspects grabbed the bag and fled the scene.
13 September 2020, Theft from Vehicle, Retail Site, Josiah Chinamano Street, City Centre:
A customer parked on site and left the vehicle unlocked. Upon return, the customer discovered that a cellphone had been removed from the vehicle.
MANICALAND
13 September 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Road, Sakubva:
An unknown number of intruders forced open the palisade bars but failed to remove anything from the site as the alarm activated causing the intruders to flee the scene.
02 September 2020, Break-in, Residential Site, Thorn Close, Morningside:
An unknown number of intruders forced their way onto the premises and took an undisclosed amount of property from the premises. The resident heard the intruders and jumped into a neighbouring premise.
23 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Thorn Close, Morningside:
An unknown number of intruders cut through the electric fence but failed to remove anything from the premises as the alarm activated.
02 September 2020, Intruder, Residential Site, Thorn Close, Morningside:
The response team was dispatched after an intruder was spotted on site. The individual is a neighbour who had jumped over the durawall when his premises was raided by intruders.
01 September 2020, Attempted Theft, Industrial Site, St Helens Drive, Nyakamete:
An alert guard noted that a customer had attempted to remove material that exceeded the amount on the invoice. The customer was requested to remove the extra load before leaving the premises.
03 September 2020, Theft, Retail Site, Tembwe Street, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects removed a solar strut from a delivery vehicle and fled the scene.
04 September 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Unnamed Road, Rusape:
An unknown number of intruders removed an empty drum from the site and fled the scene.
16 September 2020, Theft, Industrial Site, Unnamed Road, Rusape:
An unknown number of intruders removed a cellphone from the premises and fled the scene.
MASHONALAND WEST
22 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Galloway Park, Norton:
An unknown number of intruders accessed the premises via an undisclosed access point and proceeded to force open the kitchen door. The intruders cut the screen door but the residents heard the noise causing the intruders to flee the scene. Alarm activated, response team dispatched.
07 September 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Road, Norton:
An unknown number of suspects broke through the palisade bars, entered the base station and forced open the generator cage. The suspects siphoned an undisclosed amount of fuel from the site and fled the scene.
07 September 2020, Theft, Retail Site, Unnamed Road, Katanga:
The retailer reported that an undisclosed amount of meat was stolen through miscalculations by employees on site.
MASVINGO
11 September 2020, Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Road, Morgenster:
An unknown number of suspects forced open the palisade bars and drained an undisclosed amount of fuel from the generator.
MIDLANDS
GWERU
10 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Road, Mkoba:
An unknown number of intruders forced open the palisade bars and attempted to siphon fuel from the generator. The alarm activated and the intruders fled the scene.
16 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Simon Mazorodze Road, Riverside:
An unknown number of suspects attempted to access the site by breaking through the window. The alarm activated and the intruders fled the scene.
18 September 2020, Attempted Break-in, Base Station, Unnamed Road, Senga:
An unknown number of intruders forced open the palisade bars but failed to access the site as the alarm activated causing the intruders to flee the scene.