It’s no secret that retail spaces have to deal with plenty of security threats. Some of the most common issues facing today’s retailers include shoplifting and robberies, but there’s been a recent criminal trend on the rise in New Zealand.
Ram raids.
These devastating attacks can feel impossible to guard against, but anti-ram bollards are tailor-made to combat this technique. Without this preventative measure in place, your space could be highly vulnerable to such an attack.
In this blog post, we’re reviewing the risks to your business without anti-ram bollards in place. We’ll also cover the types of bollards and beams you have access to, so if you choose to install them, you can tailor the solution to suit your needs.
The Rise of Ram Raids in NZ
You may be thinking that ram-raids have dropped off in the past few months, which is true if you only look at recent data, but over all they are well up on historical trends and still generally trending upward. What has changed that may give you this impression is media neglect – they are mostly not being reported on anymore.
But First, what is a ram raid? This is a form of burglary where, instead of gaining entry on foot, perpetrators use the weight and speed of a moving vehicle to crash through a storefront’s entrance. The goal is to gain quick access to the valuables inside, meaning these attacks are often swift and violent enough to cause major structural damage.
Aside from the cost of the stolen valuables, victims of this technique have faced major costs from the damage to their storefronts as well as weeks of downtime as repairs go on.
To deter these attacks and save retailers from this issue, anti-ram bollards were invented.
The Role of Anti-Ram Bollards
Think of an anti-ram bollard like a wall in front of a wall. They’re designed to withstand high-impact forces from vehicles and set far enough in front of a storefront to stop the vehicle before it reaches the store itself. They are both a physical and a visual deterrent.
By being strategic with your bollard or beam placement, you can create a formidable line of defence without impacting the look or feel of your storefront.
Broadly speaking, there are two types of anti-ram measures.
Bollards
Bollards are thick, round poles that peak above ground. Spaced evenly apart in front of your store, they can allow foot traffic to easily pass through while preventing anything larger from getting past. This makes them an ideal choice for retail spaces or high-traffic areas.
While the bollards may look like simple poles, they’re actually long and strong metal bars that are sunk into robust concrete foundations. This is what makes them strong enough to stop a high-speed vehicle without breaking.
There are removable bollards you can select if you need to stop unauthorised vehicle access, but still need to let other vehicles through from time to time.
Beams
Beams are another variety of ram-raid protection. Fixed ram beams provide wide-spread protection for shop windows or small corner stores, especially ones with parking lots outside.
However, lift-out or swinging ram beams can provide robust protection for areas like shop doorways, or where authorised vehicles need to travel.
Keep in mind that these bollards or beams are only going to stop as vehicle, not a guy with a brick or crowbar. They are designed to prevent vehicles from impacting your storefront. You should not neglect to install other security measures to deter criminals on-foot, we would recommend installing window security bars or a roller shutter.
The Risks of Not Having Anti-Ram Bollards
Without anti-ram bollards in place, your retail space faces a number of risks.
- Structural damage. Ram raids are designed to cause structural damage. Without anti-ram bollards in place, a vehicle can easily breach your store’s exterior, causing extensive damage that usually always exceeds the value of any stolen goods.
- Financial loss. Aside from the cost of replacing stolen merchandise, a ram raid can heavily disrupt your business operations and create a large repair bill. All told, this can constitute a major financial loss. There’s also insurance excesses – We have customers who say their excess is $10,000 because they have been hit before. Most Bollard installations for shops are WELL below this cost.
- Safety risks. Ram raids are incredibly dangerous to human life. While they often happen while stores are empty, they can pose a serious safety risk to any employees or patrons if they happen during opening hours.
- Operational downtime. Due to the scale of damage caused by ram raids, victimised businesses often have to close for lengthy periods to complete repairs, restock, and install additional security measures. In terms of costs, this can be difficult to recoup.
While anti-ram bollards are an upfront cost, they stand to save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Investing in security measures like these will not only stop a ram raid in its tracks, but it might even prevent them from happening to your business at all.
As always, make sure you’re partnering with an experienced physical security provider when having these installed. A professional, robust bollard installation is key to stopping a vehicle in its tracks, especially when we’re talking about an attack as destructive as this one.
Protect your retail space from ram raids with anti-ram bollards designed to stop vehicles in their tracks.
Xpanda takes ram-raid security seriously, offering a variety of high-quality fixed and removable bollards and beams to choose from.
If you need help selecting the right solution for your business, get in touch with our expert team today.