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Ram-raiding is a variation on burglary in which a van, truck, SUV, car, or other heavy vehicle is driven through the windows or doors of a closed shop, usually a department store or jewellers shop, to allow the perpetrators to loot it.
Overview
This act has occurred since at least the mid-1930s. The term came into widespread use after a series of such raids in Belfast in 1979 that was covered in news reports and in countries such as Australia 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 strong barriers or obstructions, such as bollards, to discourage such attacks. ATM centres are also victims of ram-raiding, with criminals smashing the machines to steal cash boxes.
Many companies have come up with solutions to ram-raiding. 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.