Crime vulnerability factors

Luxson Chananda
CRIME prevention is the key constitutional mandate of the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
To this end, the police cannot successfully reduce, let alone prevent, crime if members of the public make themselves vulnerable to crime.
Vulnerability to crime is mostly caused by our actions and decisions, but to a lesser extent there are factors which may be beyond one’s control such as old age and physical incapacity.

Criminals thrive on opportunity after we make ourselves vulnerable to crime.
To ensure we reduce our vulnerability to crime, the 10 most common crime vulnerability factors will be discussed.

Old age
The elderly are potential victims of crime due to physical and mental incapacities.
Elderly couples whose children would have married and left for their own homes are often left alone making them susceptible to criminal elements. The fact that they are weak to defend themselves and failing eyesight which comes naturally with old age increases their vulnerability.

When travelling, the elderly should not do so on their own especially when in possession of valuable luggage.
Conmen dupe almost everyone, but the elderly are more vulnerable than others.

People whose parents or relatives are of old age should ensure that able-bodied persons stay with them or accompany them on journeys to enhance security and reduce the degree of vulnerability.

Old people’s homes should also be resorted to when circumstances dictate the need.
The financial matters of the elderly should be handled by younger persons.

Minority
Children are an easy target for criminals due to their tendency to be easily lured by presents and promises or mere trickery.
Rape of juvenile cases are on the increase and the modus operandi used by the sexual perverts includes offering presents like sweets and coins to lure the kids into secluded places.

Recently a serial rapist enticed primary school children with offers of food and money and took them to Vumba mountains where he eventually raped them.

Parents and guardians should closely watch their children of young age so that they do not fall prey to criminals. Schoolchildren should be encouraged to walk to and from school in pairs or groups.

Motorised parents should prioritise driving their kids to and from school. Children should also be taught not to accept hospitality by strangers as they may fall prey to a criminal.

Children should also be monitored to ensure that they are indoors before nightfall as criminals may take advantage of the cover of darkness.

Desperation
Towards the end of 2013, The Manica Post carried stories of desperate female job seekers who travelled from as far as Harare to Mutare in response to fake job advertisements and were later raped by the impostor.
Desperation is a common factor in criminal vulnerability.

Criminals easily take advantage of the desperate to commit crimes such as rape and fraud.
In whatever one does, desperation is dangerous as it is a breeding ground for crime.

Some women have been raped after being accommodated in strangers’ homes out of desperation for overnight sleep.
When selling items, be on the lookout for buyers who tender large denominations as chances of them being fake notes are high.
Do not be desperate for sales; safeguard your business from fraudsters.

Be in need but don’t be desperate. If you are desperate at all, watch your step so that your desperation will not culminate in a crime statistic.

Lack of security
Target hardening is the concept of ensuring that items targeted by criminals are made difficult to steal through measures such as locking doors and inserting key blockers, fitting burglar bars, placing valuables in safes, erecting pre-cast walls and installing alarms on vehicles.
An unlocked house or motor vehicle is vulnerable to criminals.

There is no security if business premises are not guarded.
An unfenced residence is prone to invasion by criminals.

Valuables kept in drawers are a sure bet for theft.
Vehicles should be parked overnight in guarded car parks or lockable carports.

All banks are now having electric doors to control the entrance and exit of people and this also enhances security as this makes it more difficult for robbers to storm into a bank or make good their escape.

Bank robberies have of late been a thing of the past.
Property owners are encouraged to secure their property in the best possible manner so that it won’t be easy for a criminal to steal.

Remember, security is costly but is worth the price.

Intoxication
Intoxication is being drunk from liquor or drugs.
Those who take one too many end up being so drunk that they fall asleep in beer outlets or along the roads and get searched for valuables such as cellphones and cash.

Women who take the wise waters should also watch those whom they drink with because chances of being sexually abused by men in a drunken state are high.

At parties, women should jealously guard their drinks as they may be laced with strong alcohol by those harbouring sexual desires who later force themselves on their target after intoxication.
Drinking wisely is the key.

Next week we will look at the other five crime vulnerability factors.