Ram-raiding
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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 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 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 this ram-raiding.
The practice was portrayed in the 1994 movie Shopping.
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.
The Australian Drama Dangerous features ram-raiding as a central theme.
