- Ram-raiding
Ram-raiding is a variation on
burglary in which avan ,SUV , car, or other heavy vehicle is driven through the windows or doors of a closed shop, usually adepartment store orjeweller s 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 which was covered in news reports, and in countries such as Australia which inspired a series of similar crimes. Notably, large trucks are used to break into technology companies and steal high value equipment for resale on theblack market .Commercial properties in areas prone to ram-raids often erect strong or obstructions such asbollard s to discourage such attacks. ATM centres are also victims of this ram-raiding.Many companies have come up with solutions to the ram-raiding craze that has taken off in recent years. Everything from electronic bollards to electronic barriers have been employed in the quest to keep property from the raiders.
The other solution of course, is security guards but teams of "round the clock" security are expensive and often not the most economical way of dealing with the issue.
In Culture
The practice was portrayed in the 1994 movie "Shopping".
The Australian Drama "Dangerous" features ram-raiding as a central theme.
External links
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_yorkshire/6467475.stm BBC report about a ram-raid in Leeds.]
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