Ram-raiding is a type ofburglary in which a heavy vehicle isdriven into the windows or doors of a building, usually adepartment store orjeweller's shop, to allow the perpetrators to loot it.
TheOxford English Dictionary notes that the earliest known usage of the compound nounram raid dates from 1987.[1] It first appeared in theEvening Chronicle, aNewcastle upon Tyne newspaper.[1] The nounram-raider also comes from the same newspaper, also in 1987.[2] That dictionary also notes that the termram-raiding was used as a noun byPR Newswire in 1990,[3] while the termram-raid was used as a verb by theIndependent newspaper of London in 1991.[4] The Merriam-Webster Dictionary notes that the termram-raiding is a noun of British origin.[5] The Collins English Dictionary notes the term can be spelt using a space, as inram raid, or using a hyphen, as inram-raid and indicates these terms can be used as both nouns and verbs.[6] It also describesram-raiding as a present participle ofram-raid.[6] Also it notes that the plural form isram-raids orram raids, while derived forms ofram-raider orram raider,ram-raiding orram raiding also exist as nouns.[6]
Whichever term is used, the act involves using a vehicle to break into and gain entry into premises, or attempt to do so, usually to steal the contents.[7][8][6] In most jurisdictions the act is considered a type ofburglary, orrobbery, as few jurisdictions have defined the act as a specific criminal offence.[7]
The term came into widespread use after a series of such raids inBelfast, 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.[citation needed]
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 barriers or obstructions, such asbollards, to discourage such attacks.Automated teller machines are also targets of ram-raiding, with criminals smashing the machines to steal cash boxes.[9][10][11]
Many companies have come up with solutions to ram-raiding.[12] Everything from electronic bollards to electronic barriers has been employed to keep property from the raiders.
Another solution issecurity 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 during the 2020s. In July 2022,Radio New Zealand reported a 400% increase in ram raids between 2017 and 2022; with 76% of those arrested being under the age of 18 years and 14% having connections to organised crime. Key driving factors included the influence ofsocial media, dysfunctional family backgrounds, lack of role models, and poverty.[13] Most vehicles used in ram-raids are used ex-Japan models such as theMazda Demio,Mazda Atenza,Nissan Tiida andToyota Aqua; these cars are easy to steal due to Japan's low crime rate and therefore low uptake of anti-theft measures such asimmobilisers.[14] TheNew Zealand Police took enforcement action against 37% of the ram raids; with 61% of offenders being prosecuted and another 39% being referred to youth agencies.[13] In 2022 alone, police recorded 516 ram raids and apprehended 708 offenders; with 495 being under 17 years, 70 under 13 years, and 88 being adults.[15]
In response to ram raids, the Government allocated NZ$6,000,000 for the Police's Small Retailer Crime Prevention Fund in late August 2022. The fund allows stores to purchase protective equipment such as shatterproof glass, bollards, fog cannons, and roller doors to counter ram raids.[16] By March 2023, over NZ$2,000,000 had been spent from the fund.[15]Police CommissionerAndrew Coster expressed concern about police difficulty with prosecuting juvenile offenders.Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern stated that theLabour Government preferred alternatives to incarcerating youths in order to reduce reoffending.[17] By contrast, oppositionACT party leaderDavid Seymour has advocated fitting youth offenders withankle bracelets to counter ram-raids and robberies.[18] Similarly, the oppositionNational Party leaderChristopher Luxon has advocated sending young ram-raiders and other serious youth offenders tomilitary-style boot camps.[19]
In late August 2023, the Labour Government introduced a new bill, theRam Raid Offending and Related Measures Amendment Bill, which seeks to add ram-raiding and other "smash and grab" offenses to theCrimes Act 1961 and give Police the power to prosecute juvenile ram raiders including 12 year olds. While the bill was supported by theLabour, National and ACT parties, it was opposed by theGreen Party andTe Pāti Māori.[20]
In November 2023,Newshub reported a gradual decline in ram raids in New Zealand throughout the year. Between January and September 2023, 407 ram raids were reported, compared with 707 in 2022. There were 33 reported ram raids in August 2023 and 28 in September. To counter ram-raiding, Police responses were managed at the district level and included significant investigations to identify and prosecute offenders. Police and other agencies were also trialling a strengthened multi-agency response in Auckland to address the causes of youth engaging in risky behaviour and offending. By November 2023, the Government had allocated NZ$6 million from the Proceeds of Crime Fund to counter ram raids such as installing bollards and other security for small retailers.[21] In June 2024,RNZ reported that ram raids in New Zealand had declined from a peak of 433 in 2022 to 288 in 2023, citing Police figures. 67 ram raids were also reported in the first four months of 2024. There were 12 ram raids in April 2024 compared with 64 in April 2023. 70% of identified ram raiders were aged between 14 and 17 years while 12% were aged between 10 and 13 years.[22]