Ram-raiding

Ram-raiding is a type of burglary in which a heavy vehicle is driven into the windows or doors of a building, usually a department store or jeweller's shop, to allow the perpetrators to loot it.

[citation needed] Notably, large trucks are used to break into technology companies and steal high-value equipment for resale on the black market.

Key driving factors included the influence of social media, dysfunctional family backgrounds, lack of role models, and poverty.

The fund allows stores to purchase protective equipment such as shatterproof glass, bollards, fog cannons, and roller doors to counter ram raids.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated that the Labour Government preferred alternatives to incarcerating youths in order to reduce reoffending.

[17] By contrast, opposition ACT party leader David Seymour has advocated fitting youth offenders with ankle bracelets to counter ram-raids and robberies.

[18] Similarly, the opposition National Party leader Christopher Luxon has advocated sending young ram-raiders and other serious youth offenders to military-style boot camps.

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.