SEPTEMBER 2021 OVERVIEW
– However, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has expressed concern in the increase in armed robberies (and homicides). Hotspots areas identified by the
police include Harare, Masvingo and Beitbridge.
– Currently, suspect group sizes are averaging between 5 and 7 suspects. Criminals are targeting individuals with money and also stealing vehicles and various
belongings from their residences.
• Break ins decreased by 35% whilst thefts decreased by 48%. The theft of batteries is steadily increasing, especially at base stations.
• In Bulawayo, two incidents were reported whereby grinders were used to access safes.
• Gate motor thefts remain a cause for concern though a slight decrease has been reported in Alexandra Park and Gunhill.
• During security assessments, Safeguard spotted a number of weak security walls, some with holes and others almost leaning over.
• Safeguard has reported an increase in suspicious vehicle sightings in Harare and Bulawayo.
NATIONWIDE AND HARARE CRIME STATS
CRIME BREAKDOWN BY MONTH
Security Advice
• Business owners, especially small business owners who transport their own cash should ensure that they conduct their business with and employ trustworthy individuals as it is evident that criminals have inside information.
– Business owners should desist from taking their money home and rather opt for overnight cash storage.
– Keeping money at home transfers the risk from the business to the home as criminals will not only target the money but other valuables in the household or even proceed to hurt the residents.
• Criminals often try to trick residents into leaving their homes by either making noise outside the gate, stoning the house or gate or repeatedly pressing the intercom.
– Do not exit the premise if this happens, rather press your panic button for the Safeguard response team to assist.
• Avoid unnecessary confrontations especially with people who may appear drunk/high, unnecessarily/easily agitated or mentally unwell.
– Always keep your pepper spray and panic button close
• With the expected heavy rains, it is advisable that weak walls should be fixed and replaced with brick walls before the heavy rains start.
• Trees should also be trimmed so that their branches don’t fall on walls or electric fences.
• As most suburbs are poorly lit, motorists are urged to desist from driving late and night. Motorists should also be vigilant when entering or exiting premises as criminals often target motorists at the gate.
• With the increase in suspicious vehicle sightings, residents are urged to keep gates locked at all times.
– Additionally, Safeguard recommends that young children should always be escorted to and from school. Older children should walk in groups of 3 to 4, never alone.
Outlook
As we approach the festive season, robberies are expected to remain a cause for concern with the ZRP currently working on arresting currently active gangs.
Far flung businesses and business owners remain vulnerable as some of these businesses opt to transport their own cash, with a number of business owners continuing the dangerous practice of keeping money in their homes.
For a walk through of your security at home or business, please do not hesitate to give Safeguard a call. Your safety is our priority.
Thank you for using Safeguard.
SEPTEMBER 2021 INCIDENT SUMMARIES
HARARE
Armed Robbery
26 September 2021, 23:00, Industrial Site, Nuffield Road, Workington – Eight intruders entered the premises after they cut the fence on the western corner. They hit a patrolling guard with a brick and tied him up with shoelaces and a lanyard. The intruders were armed with pistols and iron bars. They proceeded to the guardroom where they tied up a further two guards. One guard was made to patrol at gunpoint. The other robbers ransacked the sales office. The robbers left at around 02:00, they took the guard monitoring unit, a safeguard jacket, and three caps. The value of goods they stole from the client is not yet determined. The duty manager and ZRP Mbare attended the scene whilst the injured guard was rushed to the hospital.
29 September 2021, 02:29, Residential Site, Ernies Lane, Monavale – Four suspects armed with a firearm, a short spear, and a bolt cutter cut through the burglar bar. The suspects forced their way into the spare bedroom. The suspects who were not violent, stole money, 2 cellphones, an Ipad, a camera, and a projector before fleeing the scene. The resident pressed the panic button once the intruders fled the scene.
Robbery
22 September 2021, 19:10, Residential Site, Harare Drive, Marlborough – The guard on-site raised an alarm that four intruders jumped over the durawall, assaulted him, overpowered him, and tied him up. They demanded to know where the client was and where the keys to the offices were. The alarm sounded and the intruders fled with the guard’s phone. They were gone by the time the reaction time arrived.
Break-in
1 September 2021, 02:04, Residential Site, Ventersburg Road, Sunway City – Intruders jumped over the durawall and forced open the kitchen door. They stole some kitchen utensils and a two-plate stove. The client refused police involvement.
3 September 2021, 19:27, Base Station, Budiriro 5 – An alarm signal was received and a team was dispatched. Intruders cut one palisade bar and loosened the drain plug but it appears nothing was stolen. ZRP Budiriro attended the scene.
3 September 2021, 00:20, Base Station, Missenden Road, Bluffhill – An alarm was activated, and a response team was dispatched. Intruders jumped into the base station, covered two cameras with a cloth, and twisted the fuel tank lid but no fuel spillages were seen on the ground. A police report was made at ZRP Mabelreign.
6 September 2021, 01:00, Residential Site, Grove Road, Greendale – The client phoned in the morning to report a break in the previous night. The intruders broke the lounge window and cut and twisted the burglar bars to gain entry into the house. They stole a TV, DVD player, phone and surround speakers. Rhodesville Police attended the scene.
9 September 2021, 04:28, Commercial Site, Gwenyambira Way, Mufakose – An alarm was activated, and a team was dispatched. They did a check but did not notice anything unusual. The keyholder phoned the following morning confirming a break-in. The intruders cut a small mesh hole on top of the building on the northern side. They stole a phone and some groceries. The case was reported to Marimba police.
9 September 2021, 17:30, Base Station, East Road, Belgravia – A phone call was received from a technician who wanted to check on the base station. He noted that there had been a break-in. It is unknown when the break-in occurred. The perimeter fence was cut and the cameras were twisted upwards. 12 batteries were stolen. The contract is manned by an external security service provider. Avondale police attended the scene the following day.
13 September 2021, 13:00, Industrial Site, Nuffield Road, Workington – A break-in and theft were reported the previous night. Intruders broke one durawall panel and removed five other panels to gain access to the property. They broke two toilet doors and a warehouse window but could not gain access to the property because of the burglar bars. They fished out some bicycle parts through the window. No alarm signal was received as the area of the property is not covered by an alarm.
18 September 2021, 21:35, Base Station, Zimre Drive, Zimre Park – Intruders cut one palisade bar to gain access into the premises. The generator cage was vandalised and the generator battery was stolen. Ruwa Police attended the scene.
19 September 2021, Unknown Time, Base Station, Kuwadzana 1 – A response team reacted to a base station in Kuwadzana 1. Intruders damaged two palisade bars to gain entry and covered two cameras with cloths. The case was reported to Kuwadzana Police.
20 September 2021, 23:58, Base Station, Missenden Road, Bluffhill – An alarm signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The team found an empty jerry can inside the station. A police report was made at Mabelreign Police.
26 September 2021, 04:11, Residential Site, Alexander Road, Highlands – A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The caretaker pressed the panic when he heard strange noises. An unknown number of intruders removed the burglar bars and broke the glass of the main bedroom window to gain entry into the property. Two cellphones were reported missing. The house alarm was not armed when the incident occurred.
Theft
4 September 2021, 03:50, Commercial Site, Ventersburg Road, Sunway City – A guard noticed the electric fence was cut. There was no power on the premises. A reaction team was dispatched and noted that six strands of the fence were cut and two truck batteries were stolen.
4 September 2021, 10:00, Residential Site, Gilchrist Road, Avonlea – A phone call was received reporting a theft. Intruders cut the razor wire and fence and stole 2 batteries, a jack, a gas tank, and a car radio. The case was reported to ZRP Malborough.
6 September 2021, 01:15, Public Area, Cnr Borrowdale Road, and Churchill Avenue, Alexandra Park – A patrolling team spotted a suspect who had stolen a solar panel from the street lights. Upon seeing the team, he dropped the solar panel and fled. The solar panel was taken to Avondale Police.
6 September 2021, 03:12, Residential Site, Beit Avenue, Milton Park – An unknown number of intruders jumped over the durawall and proceeded to the servant’s quarters where they stole a 5kg gas tank. Police involvement was declined.
7 September 2021, 02:52, Industrial Site, Citroen Road, Msasa – An alarm signal was received and a team was dispatched. The team met with two non-Safeguard security guards who activated the alarm when they noted two truck batteries had been stolen. They were unsure when the theft occurred. Rhodesville Police attended the scene.
10 September 2021, Unknown Time, Industrial Site, Harare Drive, Msasa – Intruders broke three durawall panels creating a gap to get into the premises. However, they were disturbed by the guards and nothing was stolen.
11 September 2021, 03:42, Residential Site, Boscobel Drive East, Highlands – An alarm signal was received and a team was dispatched. An intruder stole beers from the yard. Highlands police attended the scene.
18 September 2021, Unknown Time, Commercial Site, Natal Road, Avondale – A staff member left their vehicle parked at the premises for six days whilst he was out in the field. The car’s battery was stolen during this time. There was no guard manning the outside car park at night.
Intruder
4 September 2021, 00:56, Residential Site, Western Road, Greendale – A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. An intruder was found on the property with empty beer bottles. ZRP Highlands attended the scene
14 September 2021, 21:18, Industrial Site, Nuffield Road, Workington – A phone call was received reporting intruders at the back of the contract. A response team was dispatched, they met with the client and his private guard and told the team to check the back of the property. Mbare Police and our team arrested three intruders on the property who were found in possession of 10 pounds of hammer and crowbars. They were detained and taken to Mbare Police Station.
30 September 2021, 21:40, Industrial Site, Barking Road, Willowvale – A minor was seen aboard a truck on site. The minor was apprehended and handed over to the police.
Suspicious Vehicle
17 September 2021, Unknown Time, Residential Site, College Road, Alexandra Park – Two suspicious vehicles without number plates were seen on the premises. They fled when they saw they had been spotted by the guard on site.
21 September 2021, 19:00, Residential Site, Newton Spicer Avenue, Lewisam – A suspicious vehicle was reported parked in the area. Boscobel patrol guards were requested to respond. When they arrived the suspicious vehicle had left.
28 September 2021, 19:12, Retail Site, Ramon Road, Graniteside – The guard on site reported that four individuals were parked on-site in a silver Honda Fit with registration AEV 2334. Another Honda Fit with no license plates was also parked on site. The police were alerted and the suspects fled the scene.
30 September 2021, 23:39, Retail Site, Kenneth Kaunda, City Centre – A suspicious vehicle was spotted parked near the premises.
Suspicious Person
4 September 2021, 23:08, Residential Site, Ruth Taylor Road, Gunhill – A panic signal was received and a team was dispatched. The client was concerned about a knocking on her gate. The team checked and everything was in order but found three men further down the road who matched the description from the client. They were detained and arrested for violating curfew.
9 September 2021, 20:55, Residential Site, Suffolk Road, Avondale – A panic signal was received and a team was dispatched. The client reported that people were throwing stones into her yard. The team found four big stones by the gate. Avondale police attended the scene.
Assault
26 September 2021, 21:00, Commercial Site, Glen Norah – A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The cashier pressed the panic when two of the bouncers had a fight in the bar which resulted in mirrors and glasses getting broken. Glen Norah Police attended the scene.
BULAWAYO
Break-in
13 September 2021, 07:00, Commercial Site, Fort Street, Makokoba – A phone call was received reporting a break-in from the previous night. Intruders gained entry through the roof, they cut through three zinc sheets. They avoided the door alarm sensors by making holes in the bottom of the doors. They used a grinder to open the safe and stole money in local currency as well as United States Dollars and Rands. The team attended the scene for an irregular close signal the previous night but everything was in order and found workers offloading some goods.
18 September 2021, 09:10, Commercial Site, Josiah Tongogara Street, City Centre – A call was received reporting a break in the previous night. The intruders vandalised the alarm system and opened two safes with a grinder. The intruders stole money in United States Dollar and Rand currencies. ZRP Central attended the scene.
19 September 2021, 07.30, Religious Site, Galway Road, Bradfield – Intruders broke into the church and stole a laptop, sound mixers and speakers. The incident was reported to the police.
24 September 2021, 21:18, Commercial Site, Doncaster Road, Belmont – A phone call was received reporting a break-in. Intruders gained entry through the roof and partially broke the main gate and side windows. The intruders broke the safe, alarm box and alarm recorder for the CCTV. The alarm went off at 21:18 and 01:51, two teams attended the scene however they could not gain entry into the property because of the high durawall. The key holder’s phone number was unreachable during this time.
Suspicious Vehicle
16 September 2021, 17:45, Industrial Site, 6th Avenue, City Centre – A suspicious vehicle was reported in the area by a guard on duty. There were four men in a maroon BMW. The police were informed of the incident.
Intruder
27 September 2021, 01:50, Commercial Site, Inkakha Road, Selbourne Park – A guard reported intruders on-site to the control room. A response team was dispatched. On arrival, the team noted that the intruders cut and damaged the fence but nothing appeared stolen. The intruder was found hiding on site. The intruder was taken to Emganwini Police Base Station.
Suspicious Person
30 September 2021, 09:30, Industrial Site, Sheffield Road, Belmont – The overnight guard phoned in reporting that a suspicious person, armed with a firearm, came to the front gate asking to see an overnight employee. The man was informed that the person he wanted to see was not in and the man informed the guard that he would return. The incident was reported to the police.
MANICALAND
Theft
14 September 2021, Unknown Time, Residential site, Old Location, Sakubva – A phone call was received reporting an attempted theft of the water tank. The area was not covered by an alarm. The intruders left empty-handed.
Break-in
24 September 2021, 21:13, Residential Site, Nuthill Road, Murambi – An alarm activated and a response was dispatched. Intruders removed one durawall panel and cut nine strands of the electric fence. They cut the burglar bars on the window and stole clothes amounting to US$200. ZRP attended the scene.
MASHONALAND EAST
Armed Robbery
14 September 2021, 21:52, Residential Site, Knockmalloch Estate, Norton – A phone call was received requesting a response team. Upon arrival the team met a ZNA soldier and a farmworker at the gate who were returning from a neighboring farm to get water when they saw two robbers armed with a gun, they hit one of the men with the butt of the gun and fled. Three AK 47 rifles and 180 rounds of ammunition were stolen from the premises. The guard, a soldier who was meant to be manning the property, only arrived after 23:00. The robbers did not go into the main house.
MIDLANDS
Break-in
12 September 2021, 03:08, Base Station, Mbizo Extension, Kwekwe – An alarm was activated, and a response team was dispatched. Upon arrival, the team found 4 x 20 litres of empty containers and two hose pipes. One hose pipe was connected to the diesel tank and fuel was spilling onto the ground. The intruders fled upon the arrival of the reaction team.
16 September 2021, 20:43, Residential Site, Boarder Road, Newtown – A panic signal was received and a response team was dispatched. The intruder fled when the alarm sounded.
16 September 2021, Unknown Time, Residential Site, Hospital Road, Newtown – A phone call was received and the client said his alarm activated but no signal was received. The reaction team found signs of an attempted forced entry but no intruders were seen.
16 September 2021, 23:30, Residential Site, Burma Road, Newtown – An alarm activated and a reaction team was dispatched. The kitchen window was cracked and the CCTV camera had been removed from its original position. There was no sign of any intruders.
17 September 2021, Unknown Time, Base Station, Faraday Street, Kwekwe – A signal was received and a reaction team was dispatched. The team found two bars had been tampered with. Nothing appeared to be stolen. The case was reported to the ZRP.