HARARE - Mbare, one of Zimbabwe’s havens of vice, has recorded an increase in crime, putting police on alert.

Figures released by the police for the first quarter of 2013 show that the war against crime, particularly armed robberies and house breaking, are on the surge.

Isaac Tayengwa, who commands Harare Province’s operations unit, told thousands of residents who attended a cop of the month award ceremony in Sunningdale suburb that in the past three months, police have recorded 3 567 cases compared to 3 498 cases recorded during the same period last year.

“Mbare District should continue to carry out crime awareness campaigns and conduct foot and cycle patrols, especially at night in order to reduce robberies and unlawful entries (house breaking),” said Tayengwa, an assistant commissioner.

Tayengwa said police will only win the war against crime if the public helped to flush out criminals in their communities. - Xolisani Ncube