Ram raids, where offenders use vehicles to forcibly break into retail premises, are an increasingly concerning threat to shopping centres across Perth. These incidents not only result in significant financial loss but also pose serious safety risks to staff and customers. As retail crime continues to rise nationally, implementing effective measures to prevent ram raids has never been more important for shopping centre managers and retailers.
Understanding Ram Raids
Ram raids are typically fast, high-impact crimes where offenders drive a vehicle into a storefront or access point to gain immediate entry. They usually target high-value, easily transportable goods such as liquor, tobacco, electronics, or jewellery. Even when little is stolen, property damage can run into tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, and business operations are often disrupted for days or weeks while repairs are made.
Recent data suggests retail crime costs Australian businesses over $9 billion annually, with ram raids being a key contributor to these losses. Although overall reported retail crime incidents in Perth declined slightly in 2024, ram raids remain a major security risk for both standalone stores and larger shopping precincts.
Why Shopping Centres Are Vulnerable
Several factors make shopping centres prime targets for ram raids:
- Proximity to vehicle access points: Loading bays and car parks often provide direct access to storefronts.
- High-value stock: Goods such as tobacco and alcohol are common targets, particularly where they are stored near entry points.
- Minimal resistance: Many storefronts lack barriers strong enough to stop a vehicle impact.
- Speed of crime: Ram raids are usually completed within minutes, often before police or security can respond.
- Opportunity offenders: Stolen vehicles are frequently used, making apprehension more difficult and reducing risk for offenders.
Key Strategies for Preventing Ram Raids
Effective prevention combines physical security measures, design improvements, and operational procedures. Below are proven strategies tailored to Perth shopping centres.
Crash-Rated Bollards and Barriers
- Install bollards tested to withstand vehicle impacts, spaced no more than 1.3–1.5 metres apart to prevent vehicle access.
- Consider fixed or removable bollards that blend with site aesthetics, such as planter boxes or integrated seating.
- Ensure products are certified to hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) standards like ISO 22343-1, offering a reliable tested performance rating.
Reinforced Storefronts and Shutters
- Upgrade vulnerable shopfronts with security-rated glazing or reinforced roller shutters.
- Target high-risk stores for these upgrades, particularly those selling high-value or easily re-sold goods.
Improved Lighting and Visibility
- Use high-quality lighting in car parks, access lanes, and delivery areas to increase visibility.
- Maintain clear sightlines around stores by removing unnecessary obstructions.
- Good lighting supports both deterrence and effective CCTV monitoring.
Vehicle Access Control
- Restrict after-hours vehicle movement around the shopping centre.
- Use gates, barriers, or controlled entry points to limit unauthorised access to loading docks.
- Ensure temporary measures, such as security guards or parked deterrent vehicles, are considered during high-risk periods.
Surveillance and Monitoring
- Position CCTV cameras to cover vehicle approach routes, entry points, and vulnerable storefronts.
- Use high-resolution cameras with number plate recognition where feasible.
- Link CCTV to an active monitoring centre or onsite patrol service for real-time response.
Tenant and Staff Procedures
- Train tenants and staff to recognise suspicious activity, such as vehicles loitering after hours.
- Implement secure closing routines, ensuring bollards or barriers are in place before premises are left unattended.
- Establish clear emergency procedures for responding to attempted ram raids.
Benefits of a Proactive Approach
Implementing a strong ram raid prevention strategy delivers multiple advantages:
- Reduced repair costs and downtime: Preventing an attack saves tens or even hundreds of thousands in damage and lost trade.
- Improved insurance outcomes: Some insurers offer lower premiums or improved coverage for centres with robust mitigation measures.
- Safer environments: Visible deterrents reassure customers, staff, and tenants.
- Reputation protection: Shopping centres seen as secure and well-managed are more attractive to both tenants and visitors.
How Smartsec Security Solutions Helps Perth Shopping Centres
At Smartsec Security Solutions, we provide independent, specialist advice to shopping centres and retail precincts across Perth to help prevent ram raids before they happen. Our services include:
- Risk Assessments: We conduct site-specific reviews of shopping centres, identifying vulnerable entry points, vehicle approaches, and high-risk retailers. Our assessments are aligned with ISO 31000:2018 risk management principles.
- Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) Planning: Using ISO 22343-1 standards, we design barrier layouts and recommend appropriate crash-rated bollards or other deterrents tailored to your site.
- Technical Security Advice: We provide guidance on CCTV coverage, access control, alarm monitoring, and lighting improvements, ensuring all systems work cohesively.
- CPTED Integration: We apply Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles to improve natural surveillance, territorial reinforcement, and defensible space without compromising the shopping experience.
- Operational Procedure Reviews: We help management teams establish vehicle access protocols, after-hours security checks, and tenant communication strategies to close procedural gaps.
- Implementation Support: We work alongside contractors, architects, and local authorities to ensure solutions are practical, cost-effective, and compliant with relevant standards.
Our advice is completely independent, meaning we do not sell or install security equipment. This ensures all recommendations are in your best interests, based on your risk profile and operational needs.
Conclusion
Ram raids remain a serious threat to shopping centres in Perth. With offenders becoming more brazen and vehicle-based attacks causing significant damage in a matter of minutes, proactive security planning is essential. By combining physical barriers, technical security measures, and strong operational procedures, shopping centre managers can significantly reduce their risk exposure.
Smartsec Security Solutions is a trusted partner for retail precincts seeking unbiased, expert guidance on preventing ram raids. We help you understand your risks, implement best-practice strategies, and build a safer environment for staff, tenants, and visitors.
