Safeguard Breakin Report for December 2012

We hope you have started the New Year on a good note.  A number of incidents this December and note in particular:-

1.     Faulty systems that did not activate. Get your alarm serviced if you have not had a service in some time. If it develops a fault then get it fixed quickly.

2.     Alarms not turned on resulting in serious loss.

3.     Theft of gate motors on the rise. A basic alarm at the gate will help to deter this.

4.     Robbery continues to be a concern, and 2 others have been reported recently in Newlands, and Mount Pleasant. Lock up early, make sure external alarms are on and doors /security gates are closed. A basic Xpanda door at entry (often kitchen) is affordable and a good thing.

5.     6 to 8ft walls are no deterrent. A basic electric fencing or external alarm as a first line of early warning is increasingly important.

6.     Smash and Grab incidents along the airport road are on the rise.

7.     An incident in Mutare highlights the importance of having a few sensors inside to trap movement.

In January and February we usually see an increase in opportunity theft during the day and early evening – make sure you keep gates closed , brief staff to deny entry unless sure of appointment/identity, do not leave valuables in cars especially in shopping centre and school parking areas.

Finally, we have sent out a questionnaire on our service standard. Please send us your feedback if you have not done so already. Your feedback is valuable.

Thank you for using Safeguard!

BREAK IN REPORT DECEMBER 2012

Harare

On 02/12/12 at 0322hrs in Ridgeview, intruders climbed a tree close to the durawall, jumped over the durawall and entered the yard. They stole two water tap heads, the outside alarm triggered and they ran away.  Property has a durawall, electric gate and burglar bars.

On 02/12/12 at 2325hrs in Mandara, intruders jumped over the durawall and entered the yard, they broke the gate motor cage, stole the gate motor and went away. The alarm did not trigger because it was not working.  Property has durawall, burglar bars and electric gate.

On 03/12/12 at 0357hrs on Seke Road, intruders armed with guns got to a service station and demanded cash at gun point, took some cash and drove away. The petrol attendant then pressed the panic button, alarm triggered but unfortunately the intruders had already driven away. 

On 05/12/12 at 0417hrs in Greendale, intruders jumped over the durawall and entered the yard, vandalized the cars parked in the yard, the car alarm sounded and the client pressed the panic button,  alarm triggered and they ran away with two wheels.  Property has burglar bars, durawall and electric gate.

On 06/12/12 at 0320hrs in Waterfalls, intruders jumped over the durawall and entered the yard, broke the kitchen window, the alarm triggered and they ran empty handed.  Property has durawall, electric gate and burglar bars.

On 07/12/12 at 0200hrs in Chisipite, intruders jumped over the durawall and entered the yard, forced open the main door, alarm triggered and they ran away empty handed.  Property has durawall, electric gate and burglar bars.

On 08/12/12 at 1000hrs in Graniteside, intruders jumped over the durawall and entered the yard, broke a window pane, cut burglar bars and entered the building, stole some items and ran away, alarm did not trigger because it was not armed.  Property has burglar bars, durawall and razor wire.

On 08/12/12 at 2014hrs in Groombridge, an intruder removed durawall panels and  entered the yard,  a domestic worker saw him  and pressed the panic button, alarm triggered and he ran away empty handed.  Property has burglar bars, durawall and electric gate.

On 12/12/12 at 0330hrs in Northwood , intruders jumped over the durawall and entered the yard, vandalized the housing for the gate motor,  tried to remove the gate motor, alarm triggered and they ran away empty handed.  Property has durawall, electric gate and burglar bars.

On 17/12/12 at 0058hrs in Greendale, intruders jumped over the durawall and entered the yard, stole a gate motor and went away, alarm did not trigger because the area is not protected.  Property has durawall, electric gate and burglar bars.

On 19/12/12 at 1535hrs in Parktown, intruder broke one of the back windows and entered the shop, stole some cigarettes and went away, alarm did not trigger because it was faulty. Property has burglar bars.

On 19/12/12 at 2310hrs in St Brelands Park, intruders jumped over the durawall and entered the yard, broke a window pane, cut burglar bars and entered the building, stole some items and ran away, alarm did not trigger because it was not armed.  Property has burglar bars and durawall.

On 20/12/12 at 0210hrs in Mt Pleasant, intruders armed with guns jumped over the durawall and entered the yard, forced open a door, entered the house and locked the client and his wife in a room. They stole cash, 3 laptops, 3 cellphones and ran away, the client later pressed the panic button after the intruders had left.   Property has durawall, electric gate and burglar bars.

On 23/12/12 at 1146hrs in Newlands, intruders jumped over the durawall and entered the yard, stole a gate motor and went away, alarm did not trigger because the area was not protected by the alarm. Property has a durawall, electric gate and burglar bars.

On 27/12/12 at 2355hrs in Eastlea, intruders jumped over electric gate and entered the yard, went to the kitchen door which was not locked, opened and broke the screen door, entered and stole various goods and cash. The client heard some noise when the intruders were leaving. The alarm did not trigger because it was not armed.  Property has durawall, electric gate and burglar bars.

On 28/12/12 at 2314hrs in Pomona, an intruder jumped over the durawall and entered the yard, forced open the study window, alarm triggered and he ran away.  Property has durawall, electric gate and burglar bars.

On 28/12/12 at 0749hrs in Mt Pleasant, intruders jumped over the durawall and entered the yard, stole gate motor and went away, alarm did not trigger because the area was not protected by the alarm. Property has durawall, electric gate and burglar bars.

On 29/12/12 at 0204hrs in Mt Pleasant, intruders jumped over the durawall and entered the yard, stole a gate motor and went away, alarm did not trigger because the area was not protected by the alarm. Property has durawall, electric gate and burglar bars.

Bulawayo

On 13/12/12, in Town at approximately 1200hrs two men one armed with a pistol stormed into the premises and demanded cash. They stole some money and a Toyota Camry belonging to the manager. The client pressed a panic after the Robbers had escaped using his car as a get-away car.

On 10/12/12 the manager of a City shop discovered that the premises had been broken into when he was opening for the day’s business. It was observed that intruders had broken into the premises through the roof and forced open a safe from which they allegedly stole some money. The alarm did not trigger as it was faulty.

Mutare

Mutare Central CBD, Unlawful entry. On 10th of December 2012, a man hid under one of the shop gondolas at closing of the business on Sat and the shop was closed. The alarm was armed and the key holders went home. At about 2030 hours the intruder crawled to the door and was picked by the sensor and reaction crew attended promptly. They failed to locate anything .On opening of the shop the intruder bolted out of the shop at lightning speed and the shop employees gave a chase. He was arrested and was taken to police.

Mutare, Murambi, Unlawful Entry. On 15th of December 2012, Intruder’s jumped over perimeter durawall after cutting top guard razor wire and they proceeded to the lounge window and broke into the house.  The intruders movement was picked up by the alarm which triggered and sounding a siren.  The intruders fled without taking anything. 

Mutare, Palmerstone, Unlawful entry and theft. On 31st of December 2012, intruders forced open sliding gate by pushing it from its rail and approached the main house. They then removed window louvers before finding their way in to steal a plasma television. The key holder failed to arm his alarm.

POLICE ADVICE TO MOTORISTS

At a recent public meeting held in Bulawayo, attended by members of the public, the public transport sector, Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe and senior Police Officers, the National Deputy Officer Commanding Traffic, Assistant Commissioner Kenny MTHOMBENI revealed that dishonest Police Officers bent on corruption were setting up illegal road blocks.  Motorists should ignore roadblocks manned by less than three police officers as they are illegal. Any attempt by a ‘two man’ check point or a Police officer in a private vehicle trying to enforce traffic regulations should be disobeyed and reported to their Officer Commanding/Officer in Charge.

Police fines range between $5 and $20 and if any officer demanding more than this would amount to attempted bribery.

The public were also urged to supply details of commuter omnibuses that deliberately flout the traffic regulations (stopping at undesignated pickup points, operating without necessary permits etc etc) as these vehicles were mostly owned by Police Officers.  Any such report would be dealt with from the highest level.

AIRPORT ROAD SMASH & GRAB

This is on the increase. A very recent incident at the traffic lights on the way to the airport (Sorting office/Harare Quarry) at 9.20pm whereby a vehicle travelling to the airport had its rear window smashed and a small utility bag stolen.  The culprit/s was seen jumping over the wall into the quarry area.  Police at Braeside seem unaware of any incidents of this nature – obviously this incident was not reported.

DRIVERS TAKE CARE!!

Reports have arisen of thieves using a short range signal jammer to prevent your cars locking mechanism from engaging as you press the button and walk away from your vehicle – leaving it open and easily accessible.    Do pay attention when locking your vehicle, check locked before walking away and take care!

Safeguard Break In Report December 2012