More than 650 armed robberies have been recorded in Harare alone so far this year, besides murders, thefts and burglaries.
About 106 security guards were also attacked and robbed by criminals during the robberies.
During the same period last year, a total of 466 armed robberies were recorded with 57 on premises manned by security guards.
Zeroing in on robberies carried out without firearms and other weapons, for the whole of last year nationally, police documented 1 073 reported cases as compared to 973 so far this year.
Of these cases, only 31 armed robberies last year hit places where there were security personnel, while this year there were 46 such cases.
Police are yet to compile a comprehensive report and statistics on some of the serious crimes that were recorded, not only in Harare, but countrywide.
Last Friday, three robbers raided a company in Vainona, Harare, before stealing more than US$36 200 after attacking a security guard, who was manning the premises.
The robbers were armed with pistols.
The gang broke into the company offices where they stole US$36 260 cash which was in a safe, two laptops and a bluetooth speaker.
Police are also investigating a robbery at a house along Cecil Road, Greendale, Harare, on Thursday.
Three armed robbers attacked a family before stealing US$12 200 cash, laptops, cellphones and a digital video recorder.
On the same day, police in Harare arrested Bright Chikomo (24) in connection with the robbery at a house in Eastview, Phase 15, Mabvuku where a couple was attacked before US$30 cash, two cellphones and a blanket were stolen.
The suspect was positively identified by the wife during the robbery, leading to his arrest. The arrest led to the recovery of a knife in the suspect’s pocket. The other suspect, only identified as Digital, is on the run.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that there is no going back in the fight against armed robbery cases in the country. The crack teams set up by the Zimbabwe Republic Police are alert and will ensure that the law takes its course without fear or favour.”
Police urge companies and individuals to keep their money in banks, rather than as piles of cash on the premises or in houses. Gangs often know where money is stashed, or at least know that a household or a business has received a large payment in cash, and plan accordingly.
Last month, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, security companies and other stakeholders met in Harare to discuss various ways to curb robberies. The Officer Commanding Crime in Harare Province, Assistant Commissioner Peter Sibanda, said law enforcement was a collective effort done through a range of security organisations.
Asst Commissioner Sibanda expressed concern over the recent increase in armed robberies and said security officers need to have proper training in weapons handling and the use of firearms.
The Officer Commanding Harare Province, Commissioner Maxwell Chikunguru, said police were witnessing not only a rise in traditional crimes, like thefts, robberies, burglaries and others, but also the emergence of advanced tactics that criminals employed to evade security measures.
