Hatcliffe Community Battles Prostitution, Drug Abuse, and Rising Violent Crime

By Desire Tshuma

Hatcliffe is grappling with a toxic mix of prostitution, rampant drug abuse, and a surge in violent crime, leaving residents living in fear and calling for urgent intervention.

The streets of Hatcliffe, once considered safe for evening strolls and community gatherings, are now hotspots for illicit activities. Prostitution is openly practiced in certain areas, with sex workers soliciting clients along dimly lit streets and in local bars late at night. Residents are particularly concerned about the impact on local youth, who are increasingly exposed to these activities.

“It’s gotten to a point where school kids are being approached by clients looking for sex workers, and it’s happening right under our noses,” said parent and community leader who spoke on anonymity. “As parents, we’re worried about the influence this is having on our children. They see these activities and start to think it’s normal.”

Compounding the problem is the widespread abuse of drugs and substances in the area. Residents point to a correlation between prostitution and drug use, with many sex workers reportedly using substances to cope with their situation or being coerced into the trade by drug dealers.

“Drug abuse is fueling a lot of the problems we see here. We’ve seen young girls getting involved in prostitution to feed their addiction, and it’s heartbreaking. Last week one person was killed at Alfa area. Its disheartening to see police collecting dead bodies which resulted in violent attacks.” Zuzeyi said , a resident at Hatcliffe.

But it’s not just prostitution and substance abuse that are worrying residents – violent crime has also spiked in recent months. Muggings, burglaries, and violent attacks are increasingly common, often linked to disputes over drugs or prostitution transactions.

“Last month, a neighbor was beaten and stabbed during a robbery. He was lucky to survive,” said Rumbi Muburira also Hatchliffe long-time resident. “Now people are afraid to walk alone after dark, and some business owners are even considering closing shop because of repeated break-ins and threats from criminals.”

Residents report that violent incidents often go unreported due to fear of retaliation or lack of confidence in police response. However, some have shared accounts of brazen attacks, like a recent incident where a local shop was ransacked by a group of armed men suspected to be high on drugs.

“The violence is getting out of hand,” said another resident whose shop was broken into twice this year. “We’ve had to install iron bars and security cameras just to protect our businesses, but it’s getting harder to keep feeling safe.”

The community is pushing for solutions. Local leaders are calling for increased collaboration with law enforcement to tackle prostitution, drug trafficking, and violent crime hotspots in Hatchliffe.

“Most of these thugs are people who are into drugs , of late we have seen the police doing raids from drug lords and we urge police to continue doing this and we reintroduce neighbourhood watch groups to curtail these thugs” Clr Elvis Ruzane said.

“We need the police to take decisive action against these activities, especially in areas where kids are likely to be exposed,” said Madzwinyu a community activist. “We also need support services for those caught up in prostitution and substance abuse – we can’t just condemn them; we need to help them find a way out.”

“We want to see more visible policing, regular patrols, and swift response to reports of crime,” said Kanyama, a victim of recent robbery . “And we need programs that offer skills training, counseling, and job opportunities to give people alternatives to crime and substance abuse.”

Local authorities have acknowledged the concerns, promising to increase efforts to address prostitution, substance abuse, and violent crime in the area. “We’re reviewing our strategies and working on boosting patrols and community engagement to tackle these issues,” said a police spokesperson.

For now, residents of Hatcliffe are banding together, determined to reclaim their community and create a safer environment for families. “We can’t let these problems define our neighborhood,” added Kanyama “We’re standing together to fight for a better Hatcliffe.”