INTRODUCTION Over the course of the past month, we noted a 5% decrease in crime in comparison with February 2018. However, “Murder” re-

mains the dominant crime trend, comprising 14% of the activity we recorded last month.

A nation-wide offensive against the scourge of illicit liquor and drug abuse however means that 12% of the activity in our database

was related to the operation against second-generation brew. This activity was particularly concentrated around the Central re-

gion, with Kiambu and Murang’a counties in particular coming under the spotlight in the operation.

With regards to the capital, “Armed Robberies” comprised 18% of the activity recorded in March. By volume, “Armed Robberies”,

“Shot Thugs” and “Theft” made up a combined 40% of crime in the capital, up from 29% in February. The silver lining, however, is

that by our count, crime in residential areas dropped from 53% in February to 27% last month.

OUR HIGHLIGHT REEL: On 24th March, three suspected thugs attempted to force their way into an office complex in Westlands posing as C.I.D offi-

cials. They were, however, turned away by our security officers.

On 17th March, an unknown number of suspects broke into an office complex along the Northern Bypass. They were however

forced to flee after one of our Mobile Response Teams arrived at the scene.

On 13th March, a suspect was apprehended after he broke into an educational institution in Parklands. He was escorted to the

Parklands Police Station by one of our Mobile Response Teams.

On 12th March, four of our security officers quickly swung into action to administer emergency care on a contractor who fell

off the 3rd floor of a building under construction along Limuru Road, badly injuring his right hand. The contractor was then

rushed to hospital in stable condition.

On 11th March, a suspect was apprehended as he attempted to make away with stolen metal roads from a construction site in

Athi River. He was escorted to the Athi River Police station by our Mobile Response Team.

On 3rd March, two of our security officers recovered an iPad 6 among other valuables that had been lost by a visitor to a shop-

ping mall along Limuru Road. The officers recovered the items while on routine patrol on the premises.

SECUREX MONTHLY SECURITY

BRIEFING March 2018

ANALYSIS OF ACTIVITY IN RELATION TO THE DAYS OF THE WEEK

ANALYSIS OF ACTIVITY IN RELATION TO THE TYPE OF INCIDENT

NAIROBI THE REST OF THE COUNTRY

NAIROBI THE REST OF THE COUNTRY

Outside Nairobi, most crime was noted on Wednesdays and

Thursdays Most crime noted in Nairobi happened on Wednesdays.

“Shot Thugs”, Armed Robbery and Theft comprised 40% of

activity noted in Nairobi, compared to 29% in February.

“Illicit Liquor/Drugs” made up 14% of crime noted outside Nairobi

last month.

ANALYSIS OF ACTIVITY IN RELATION TO THE SCENES OF INCIDENTS

ANALYSIS OF INCIDENTS IN RELATION TO THE WEEK

NAIROBI THE REST OF THE COUNTRY

35% of crime we noted in Nairobi happened in public areas. Outside Nairobi, most crime was reported in residential areas

(41%}

Crime in Nairobi spiked in the second week, while in the rest of the country, most activity was noted in Week 4.

AERIAL VIEW OF INCIDENTS IN NAIROBI This map is interactive at: https://goo.gl/mtAyiJ

AERIAL VIEW OF INCIDENTS FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY This map is interactive at: https://goo.gl/KxD2sa

NOTABLE NEWS Revealed: How you Are Making Yourself a Robber's Walking Target

What are the simple things you unconsciously do when going about your day that make you a soft target for highway robbers, pick pock-

ets, and white collar crime?

Peter Mbugua, 29, got into a life of crime at 12 to fend for his family. The former prisoner is currently a champion for a crime -free slum

in Kibarage, Loresho area.

Haron Kivogo, 25, is a reformed white collar thief whose 40th day came when a cheque forgery plan went awry. Today he serves as

the chairman of Slum Network Reform, an organisation that endeavours to reform youth.

They share some ways that we unwittingly make ourselves vulnerable to crime.

Not honing your instincts. Note any suspicious people around you on the streets? Don't ignore that feeling. Let them see that you

have seen them. A split-second glance. This takes away the element of surprise that they rely on heavily and will go on to hunt easier

prey. They wouldn’t want to attack you now because who knows if you are armed?

The fairest game in traffic is the person seated next to an open car/matatu window. If you are in a matatu and using your phone,

while your window is open, know that a bunch of guys are plotting to get away with your phone, or bag. Mostly, it is carelessness on

people’s part that makes them lose their valuables.

Keep the earphones away. Criminals like distracted people because you won't see them coming. And someone listening to music

will most often realise that something is going down a little too late. Be aware. Look around and be purposeful. That could deter a

thief.

Criminals target people who may find it difficult to get away. So if they spot one lady in high heels and another in flats, they will

definitely go for the one in high heels because she won’t get away from them. So, if carrying out your business in a crime-prone area,

wear comfortable shoes and clothes that won’t impede your motion.

Dark entrances. Add lighting to your home entrance. Robbers are more comfortable in dark environments because it is a security

blanket. So yes, fix a light bulb at your doorstep and leave it on at night. It just might save you from burglars.

Do not drive while calling or sending text messages. Your mind cannot concentrate on three things: driving, texting and looking

out for danger. And criminals can tell who can be easily robbed. You do not know it, but the thief is studying every move you make;

how you’re driving, your car’s signals, your body language, and if you are paying attention to see if the gridlock is opening.

For ladies, when carrying your phone inside your handbag, don’t let your handbag hang behind you. That’s like a big neon sign to a

pickpocket, screaming, “WELCOME”. Always keep your handbag where you can see it, especially in crowded places.

Criminals love and loathe showy people in equal measure. “Why do you have an expensive watch and a sleek phone while I get to

go hungry?” is their way of thinking. And if you have these items on display, they also figure that you have more where that came

from. So depending on which side of the town you are in, be careful what you flash around. Best get to your destination first.

If you see a bunch of smartly-dressed guys entering a public service vehicle or hanging out at a bus stop, and they are holding huge

envelopes, folders, newspapers or handbags, hold your wares closer. Pickpockets rarely operate solo. They are like wolves; hunting

and circling their prey in packs. Generally, most crimes are perpetrated by at least a couple of people. There is a ploy that is called in

Sheng, “Mtupe Nimsanye” which means, “distract and rob”.

Beware of gimmicks. They operate in groups. One shuffles in front of your car like they are sick, and if you make as if to help, or

open your window to help, you are toast. Or one could point out that you have a puncture, or your car has some fault of some sort.

But you are being set up for a handbag, phone or laptop snatch. The trick is to always stay mentally alert.

House-breakers sometimes come in twos or threes. One common trick they use, especially in places that are densely populated, is to

have a lady in the group washing clothes outside your balcony, or door. The audacity of this action will make neighbours think that these

are your guests and let the crime happen right under their noses. You can mitigate this by having a good relationship with neighbours,

and them having your phone number.

Show no fear. If you are walking somewhere and see people you believe are thieves and tense up, you have already showed signs that

you are a quarry. Even thieves are afraid. The thief does not know if you are armed or not. Your confidence will make you pass where

others dare not set foot.

Walking in a crowded place at night, be vigilant. When you see about five people walking ahead of you, unless you have a black belt

in karate, do not try to walk in between them. You are only setting yourself up for mugging and, if you are unlucky, you will return home

stark-naked.

Shop-keepers are easy prey. And upcoming thieves cut their teeth with their premises. The modus operandi for stealing items from

shops is asking for an item that is in a place that will force the shopkeeper to turn his back on the criminal. Of course, shoplifters pull this

trick after doing their research. Shop keepers should not keep valuable items or cash registers within easy reach of buyers. This is why

most refreshments’ refrigerators are under lock and key.

Keep your cheque books in a secure place. To be fraud-proof, do not let your employees know details about your cheques. Keep your

cheque books in a safe. If you keep your cheques, signed or not, where an employee can easily access them, you may be setting yourself

up for a heist.

Preying on your children. Some children of the rich folk, for whatever reason, run away from home and seek refuge in the slums. Or

they may have gotten into drug use and are looking for camaraderie and kindred spirits in the ghetto. These kids are lured in by gangs

and made to steal cheques and take pictures of their parent’s signature. Sometimes such kids also plan for their houses to be burglar-

ised. Having a good relationship with your teenage children goes a long way in identifying criminal behaviour.

If you are driving home and notice that you are being tailed by a motorcycle, drive past your house, make unexpected turns and note

if they are still on your tail. If they are, drive to the nearest police station because the gate of one’s house is a trap that has led to many

murders and violent robberies.

In the streets, it can be a thin line between being a Good Samaritan and being a sucker. Never stop when a stranger approaches you. The

time you have stopped is enough for conmen to play with your mind. The commonest trick is a stranger stopping you to ask for, say,

directions, and then almost immediately, an accomplice comes and greets the stranger, “Long time, Man of God”. That lowers your

guard and thence begins an experience you won’t want to retell.

Don’t be a walking target

“It takes seven seconds for a criminal to consider you an easy target, says former FBI man Steve Kardian. “A criminal’s biggest fear is getting

hurt and getting caught,” he says.

He also recommends the STAAR principle

Stride: Take forceful, confident steps with a gait that is neither too short nor too long.

Tall: Don’t hunch your back. Stand tall, shoulders back, chin up. That spells confidence.

Arms: Swing your arms from your elbow as you walk.

Awareness: Don’t be caught up in your phone. Look around. Be observant.

Relax!

{VIA: Standard Digital}

Anti-Theft Tips in your Office/Business

Vet all potential employees before hiring them. A person’s

past might be a good indicator of their future behaviour.

Keep a virtual eye on your business. Consider investing in

Internet Protocol CCTV surveillance systems.

Monitor trash removal. Rogue staff might attempt to con-

ceal stolen company goods that way.

Instruct your security to monitor staff as they clock out; to

ensure no goods leave the premises without permission.

Be informed on the prevalent crime trends in the vicinity of

your business. This should inform your security strategy.

Be especially careful when opening or closing your busi-

ness. This is when thugs are more likely to strike.

It’s advisable not to leave visitors to wander your premises

alone. Prefer to escort them around instead.

Invest in an access control system that will keep a log of

who went where, when and for how long they were there.

If you have a safe, secure it to the floor. Thugs might take

it rather than attempt to crack the code there and then.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

INSTITUTION CONTACT

Police Emergency Hotline/ Control Room 999, 020 3556771, 2724154, 2724201

Anti-Terrorist Police Unit 020-2724406

Nairobi Fire Brigade 020 2344599

Diplomatic Police Unit 0708589522, 0731170666

National Disaster Operation Centre 2212386/ 2211445

St. John’s Ambulance 020 2210000, 2244444, 0721225285, 2715310

Kenyatta National Hospital 020 2726300/9, 0722829500/1/2

Kenya Red Cross Emergency Operations Centre 020 3950395, 072860502, 0738602502, 0728602503 (toll

free)