Managing the ‘Snatch and Grab’ and Other Crimes in Harare Gardens: The Harare Gardens Crime Elimination Model Founded

Abstract

Urban recreational spaces, such as the Harare Gardens in Harare, Zimbabwe, were initially conceived as secure environments intended for leisure, relaxation and public enjoyment. However, in recent years, these spaces have become increasingly characterised by heightened levels of criminal activity, particularly opportunistic offences such as "snatch and grab" thefts, attributable to their proximity to high-risk urban zones and the absence of robust security infrastructure. The deterioration of safety within such environments undermines their intended function and presents a pressing challenge for urban governance and planning. While previous research has broadly examined urban crime, there remains a significant gap in scholarly attention to crime dynamics within recreational spaces, especially in the context of sub-Saharan African cities. Moreover, few studies offer context-specific crime prevention frameworks responsive to the unique socio-spatial challenges of these sites. This qualitative study addresses this lacuna by investigating the prevalence, underlying causes and socio-economic impacts of crime in the Harare Gardens and by proposing the Harare Gardens Crime Elimination Model as a tailored intervention. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including visitors, vendors and street children, as well as participant observation within the Gardens. A qualitative desk review further supplemented the primary data. Textual analysis was employed to interpret the data, revealing three critical insights. Firstly, street children occupy a dual role as both perpetrators and victims of criminal activities within the Gardens. Secondly, the inadequacy of security infrastructure significantly facilitates the occurrence of crime. Thirdly, broader socio-economic vulnerabilities, such as poverty and marginalisation, serve as persistent drivers of criminal behaviour in the space. The study concludes that effectively addressing crime in the Harare Gardens necessitates a comprehensive and integrated approach, encompassing community participation, enhanced surveillance measures (e.g., CCTV systems) and targeted socio-economic interventions for at-risk groups. The proposed Harare Gardens Crime Elimination Model offers a contextually grounded framework aimed at restoring public trust, enhancing community resilience and re-establishing the Gardens as a safe and inclusive urban recreational space.