Ram-raiding
Encyclopedia
Ram-raiding is a variation on burglary
in which a van
, 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.
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 bollard
s, to discourage such attacks. ATM
centres are also victims of ram-raiding.
Many companies have come up with solutions to ram-raiding. Everything from electronic bollards to electronic barriers have been employed to keep property from the raiders.
Another solution is security guards, but teams of "round the clock" security are expensive and often not the most economical way of dealing with ram-raiding.
Burglary
Burglary is a crime, the essence of which is illicit entry into a building for the purposes of committing an offense. Usually that offense will be theft, but most jurisdictions specify others which fall within the ambit of burglary...
in which a van
Van
A van is a kind of vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people.In British English usage, it can be either specially designed or based on a saloon or sedan car, the latter type often including derivatives with open backs...
, SUV, car, or other heavy vehicle is driven through the windows or doors of a closed shop, usually a department store
Department store
A department store is a retail establishment which satisfies a wide range of the consumer's personal and residential durable goods product needs; and at the same time offering the consumer a choice of multiple merchandise lines, at variable price points, in all product categories...
or jewellers shop, to allow the perpetrators to loot it.
This act has occurred since at least the mid 1930s. The term came into widespread use after a series of such raids in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
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.
Bollard
A bollard is a short vertical post. Originally it meant a post used on a ship or a quay, principally for mooring. The word now also describes a variety of structures to control or direct road traffic, such as posts arranged in a line to obstruct the passage of motor vehicles...
s, to discourage such attacks. ATM
Automated teller machine
An automated teller machine or automatic teller machine, also known as a Cashpoint , cash machine or sometimes a hole in the wall in British English, is a computerised telecommunications device that provides the clients of a financial institution with access to financial transactions in a public...
centres are also victims of ram-raiding.
Many companies have come up with solutions to ram-raiding. Everything from electronic bollards to electronic barriers have been employed to keep property from the raiders.
Another solution is security guards, but teams of "round the clock" security are expensive and often not the most economical way of dealing with ram-raiding.