Ram-raiding

Ram-raiding is a type of burglary in which a heavy vehicle is driven into the windows or doors of a building, usually a department store or jeweller's shop, to allow the perpetrators to loot it.

A bollard in front of a shop to deter ram-raiders.

Overview

The term came into widespread use after a series of such raids in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1979 that was covered in news reports and in countries such as Australia and New Zealand that inspired a series of similar crimes.

Notably, large trucks are used to break into technology companies and steal high-value equipment for resale on the black market.

Commercial properties in areas prone to ram-raids often erect barriers or obstructions, such as bollards, to discourage such attacks. Automated teller machines are also targets of ram-raiding, with criminals smashing the machines to steal cash boxes.[1][2][3]

Many companies have come up with solutions to ram-raiding.[4] Everything from electronic bollards to electronic barriers has been employed to keep property from the raiders.

Another solution is security guards, but round-the-clock teams are expensive and often not the most economical way of dealing with ram-raiding.

Ram raiding has been seen as becoming an epidemic in New Zealand in the 2020's. In 2022 alone, police recorded 516 ram raids.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Video: ATM ram raid caught on camera". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 2015-06-27.
  2. Robertson, David (May 30, 2015). "Ramraiders chain up ATM and drag it away in Launceston robbery". ABC News.
  3. Butcher, Steve (October 14, 2013). "Ex-police employee jailed for planning ATM ram raids". The Age.
  4. 'Raminator' foils ATM ram raids. The Daily Telegraph. 21 Aug. 2008.
  5. "Revealed - the total number of ram raids last year". RNZ. 2023-03-03. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
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