Police to maintain a 24 hour presence at fuel stations

POLICE are reportedly going to maintain a 24-hour presence at fuel service stations and some supermarkets in the wake of increased armed robberies at such places in Bulawayo.

Three armed robbery cases were recorded at Engen Garage in Magwegwe, the private offices of Zifa vice-president Omega Sibanda and Bakers Inn factory in Belmont in just one week.

The armed robbers made off with cash, cellphones, laptops and an assortment of goods.

Police sources said there had been an upsurge in armed robbery cases in recent weeks hence the introduction of 24-hour guard at certain outlets.

"This started last week in response to the cases of armed robbery cases being reported in the city," said a police officer on Friday.

Acting Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Abednico Ncube declined to comment on the reported 24-hour police guard.

Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba recently indicated that there had been a 40% increase in armed robberies in the country between January and May compared to the same period last year.