How to Minimise The Risk of Ram Raids with Bollards

Whether you own and operate a fashion retailer or a jewellery store, the risk of ram raids is rising. Loss prevention and security specialists know the threat of a smash and grab only too well and the risk goes beyond protecting profit. In addition to the risk of stock loss, there is the personal safety of shoppers and employees to consider. This is why so many businesses have opted to invest in security solutions to minimise the risk of ram raids. One of the most effective solutions is stainless steel bollards. 

What is a Ram Raid? 

A ram raid, or a crash and grab, is usually a retail crime where a vehicle deliberately rams into the storefront to take advantage of the damage to quickly grab valuables before making a quick getaway. The most likely targets of these ram raids include jewellery stores, tobacco shops, and luxury retailers, but they have been known to involve ATM machines and safes. When thieves get desperate, they lash out. In some cases, criminals will use their ram raid vehicle as a threatening weapon to keep people from escaping or preventing theft. 

The Risk of Ram Raids 

While new legislation has targeted ram raid perpetrators for longer prison terms, it's worth considering the risk to your business and taking steps to mitigate them. There's been an uptick in ram raiders targeting tobacco shops, with the ability to sell the stolen cigarettes much more easily than some of the other high-value items from jewellery stores and fashion retailers. 

Every business owner should carry out a risk assessment to assess the likelihood of their business being targeted by a ram raider. If you own and operate a fashion retailer, jewellery store, or tobacco shop, you're in the highest risk category and should take further steps to protect your employees, customers, buildings, and assets. 

Ram Raid Prevention 

If you want the most effective prevention method for ram raids, it's strategically implementing vehicle barriers like safety bollards. 

Most people think of parking bollards as a way to separate vehicles and pedestrians. They think of them as traffic bollards to control the flow of traffic and guide cars and pedestrians as they navigate shared areas. That's true, but that's precisely why they make such an effective anti-ram raid barrier. 

By strategically implementing bollards, you can prevent the initial ram from taking place and without the crash, the grab becomes very difficult. The strongest bollards can stop a medium-duty truck in its tracks, protecting your storefront, your employees, your customers, and your high-value assets. 

The benefit of these bollards is that they are ideal for retail storefronts and similar businesses, but they don't interrupt foot traffic. You can also choose a design that seamlessly fits with your storefront's aesthetic. Many retailers choose bollard covers to advertise, and this also helps you set the brand tone you want. It also provides shoppers with peace of mind, knowing they're shopping in a business that values their safety. 

A fixed bollard is rooted, it cannot be moved, so if you choose this option, it should only be installed where vehicle access is not required. While you may like the idea of Surface Mount Bollards, for the purposes of anti-ram raid barriers, Inground barriers are more suitable.  If you want to fix a row of bollards across a warehouse door or loading back, you should use a retractable bollard. Removable bollards make it easy to remove the post when you need to provide access to the area. 

As for the installation process, if you are handling this yourself, it's important you mark out the spacing before you start. Spacing varies but is usually 1.5 metres between each bollard to ensure access for wheelchair users and prams. This limits the number of bollards you need while providing adequate coverage for anti-ram raid barriers. 

Alternatively, you can use an installation service like the one Safehub offers. Our professional installers will perfectly space your new bollards and install them for you. We're more than happy to recommend the proper spacing based on your storefront and the types of goods you sell. 

SafeHub Safety Shop Near Me 

If you would like to place an order for anti-ram raid bollards but aren't sure how many you need or the right type, just get in contact with the SafeHub team to discuss your needs. We would be more than happy to advise you on the appropriate spacing to create the most effective anti-ram raid barrier to protect your employees, customers, and business. 

We also stock a wide range of security and protection products, whether you're in need of safety signs, traffic signs, traffic cones, convex mirrors, flexible bollards, plastic bollards, rope bollards, rubber wheel stops, speed bumps, line marking paint, reflective tape, and more. If you need a safety product, we have it.