Crime rate decreases in Bulawayo

POLICE in Bulawayo have reported an eight percent decrease in criminal activities from January to August this year attributing the development to improved relations between the police and members of the public whose involvement in various policing initiatives has been instrumental.

Police spokesperson for Bulawayo Inspector Abednico Ncube said statistics showed a decrease in criminal activities in the city during the period under review.

He said cases of theft of motor vehicles were giving the police a headache but they went down by 40 percent from 906 cases last year to 547 during the period under review.

“Cases of plain robbery have decreased from 737 to 359 and robbery (others) coming down from 37 last year to 30 this year.

“A lot of fraud cases were reported in the past year and members of the public have been unlucky to find themselves being duped by fraudsters. The cases have, however, gone down from 307 reported last year to approximately 300 from January to August.

“Cases of stock theft have also gone down from 157 to 151 this year. Juvenile rape cases went down from 98 to 86 while murder cases have remained stagnant,” said Insp Ncube.

He said police appreciate strategies being put in place in Bulawayo such as the Movement Against Crime Forum of Zimbabwe where the business community was working with police to curb crime.

“We have had improved working relations with various Bulawayo communities where there is engagement with the police in monthly meetings where we come up with strategies to fight crime. The Neighbourhood Watch Committee members are also very active especially in the eastern suburbs. They are also active in areas like Cowdray Park and Nkulumane,” said Insp Ncube.

He praised the Bulawayo community and members of the public for adopting and encouraging sense of policing where they take it upon themselves to report criminals in their respective areas.

Insp Ncube said police have also been making arrests including those of theft of copper cables, robbers, rapists and other offences.

He said churches have also come up with crime forums as churches and church members were also not spared in being victims of criminal activities.

“We would like to urge members of the public to continue working with the police and giving tip-offs and to report crime through use of our WhatsApp platform (0787928015),” said Insp Ncube.