Cameroon: Petty crime on the rise in Yaoundé

Event

Petty crime (e.g., purse snatching, pickpocketing, etc.) is reportedly on the rise in the capital city Yaoundé, especially along the Avenue Kennedy. These petty crimes are mostly attributed to youth gangs who frequently target people during traffic jams; chauffeured cars and taxis are the most targeted. According to media reports, the number of youth gangs have increased over the past few months due to the displacement of a number of people fleeing insecurity in the Far North region.

Context

Petty crime rates have a tendency to rise in Cameroon during the back-to-school period in September. Items with a high demand on the black market are most commonly stolen, such as electronics (smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.) and jewelry. Criminals may specifically target foreign nationals, due to their perceived affluence and on the assumption that they are likely to be carrying such items.

Advice

Individuals present in Cameroon, particularly in Yaoundé, are advised to remain vigilant and take common-sense precautions against petty crime (e.g., drive with doors locked and windows rolled up, park in a secured parking lot close to their destination, avoid traveling by foot after nightfall, only keep small amounts of cash on hand).

On a separate note, due to the high threat of terrorism, some Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the Far North region as well as other areas bordering Nigeria, Chad, and the Central African Republic; travel to these areas should only be considered with appropriate security protocols in place.