Housebreakings, muggings on the rise in Mabelreign

Diana Nherera Suburban Reporter

HOUSEBREAKINGS and muggings are on the increase in Mabelreign and surrounding suburbs, the Zimbabwe Republic Police says.

Officer in Charge responsible for crime at Mabelreign Police Station Inspector Mutushwa said criminals are breaking into premises and stealing valuables ranging from cellphones, gas tanks, television sets and laptops among other things.

“Crime is on the rise in the Mabelreign policing area.

“As a police station, we police Sentosa, Westgate, Madokero, Meyrick Park.

“And of concern is housebreakings,” said Insp Mutushwa.

He was speaking at a service delivery meeting orgainsed by the Zimbabwe Combined Residents and Ratepayers Association (ZICORRA) at Hallingbury Primary School on Saturday.

Insp Mutushwa said this sad state of affairs requires unity in confronting the situation.

“So we as the police we are engaging the community. We are working hand in glove with the community so that we carry out patrols.

“We analyse crime on a daily basis to see which area was hit the most and then we engage the community. They bring in resources like motor vehicles and we give them police officers to carry out patrols in affected areas,” said Insp Mutushwa.

He urged the community to form a neighbourhood watch.

“You are the ones that stay in the neighbourhood.

“You must have your own people that will be watching the neighbourhood so that whatever sign of suspicious persons you see, you bring them to book or take them to the police station or call the police station advising that you have people here that are suspicious and they can’t satisfactorily explain what they are doing in our neighbourhood.

“We will be quick to rush there, bring them to the station, interrogate them and then establish the purpose of their visit in a specific neighbourhood,” said Insp Mutushwa.

He said while the police do their part residents must also take action to prevent cases of unlawful entry.

“We also have a concern of muggings what we call robberies. There are some predators on the prowl especially with these tall grasses. They will be waiting for their victims in tall grasses especially in the wee hours of the morning or dusk time whilst the majority of people are coming from work. So they wait in tall grasses, they pounce on their victims and steal from them. So we urge you the communities whenever you are walking on foot, avoid using secluded parts, avoid walking alone along dark alleys but rather use main roads where you are seeing the people walking around.”

“That way, you dissuade those criminals. We also urge you to secure your screen doors on every entry that leads into the house be it the kitchen door or other doors. Also put screens on passage doors.

“It’s up to you to secure everything that is valuable especially at night; laptops, cellphones, television sets, everything that you know is susceptible to theft, secure it, remove it from wherever it is and put it somewhere secure,” said Insp Mutushwa.