The first week of March 2022 also saw an increase in the targeting of cellphone signal tower, an indicator that fuel theft syndicates might be back in operation. Sites that have generators on site as well trucks should ensure that these sites are well manned to prevent the theft of fuel and batteries on site.

Crime is likely to remain constant as criminals target batteries from vehicles, gates, and cellphone signal tower stations as well as money from people known to keep large amounts of money. As schools prepare to reopen, school administrators should avoid storing money on-site as this will attract robbers to the site.

During the festive season, the incidents reported to Safeguard increased by 8% with an increase in all crime types except robberies, which remained constant. However, in the rest of the country, violent crime increased with fatalities reported during robberies in Beatrice, Mashonaland East, and Macheke, Masvingo.

Crime incidents reported to Safeguard increased by 73% between October and November 2021, with an increase in the
number of incidents were firearms were used in robberies (from 2 incidents last month to 5 incidents this month).

Crime incidents reported to Safeguard decreased by 18% in the past 2 months. Robberies remain a cause for concern with eight incidents reported in October 2021 (double when compared to September 2021).

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.

Crime increased by 25% between July 2021 and August 2021. Thefts doubled whilst break-ins remained constant during the same period. Criminals have been increasingly targeting vehicle batteries (industrial sites, especially Msasa) and gate motors (residential sites, especially Alexandra Park). The Safeguard Alarms response teams apprehended a number of suspicious persons in Alexandra Park in the past month. These could potentially be scouters considering the increase in thefts in the area.

Violent crime decreased in the past month, likely as a result of the arrest made by the ZRP.
The incidents of break-in and theft remain constant though with criminals targeting individuals and businesses known to have significant amounts of cash. It is believed that these criminals have inside information on which individuals or sites are known to have large amounts of money. Safeguard urges clients to avoid disclosing information that may encourage criminals to target a site. Ensure all points of access are closed in the evening and that your alarm is armed. Break-ins often occur as a result of a door being left unlocked or an alarm being unarmed.