Ram raids are not listed as a standalone offence in Victoria, but they fall inside burglary, theft and criminal damage. The broader crime environment helps explain why owners are taking prevention more seriously.
| Region | Crime Category | Latest Figure | What This Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria (Statewide) | Store ram raids and arson | 100 plus targeted attacks since 2023 | Offenders have used vehicles to force entry and leave quickly. Barriers can interrupt this method. |
| Greater Geelong | Property damage | Up about 12 percent | More break ins and damage incidents increase vulnerability for garages and small commercial buildings. |
| Melbourne CBD | Commercial burglary | Multiple crash and grab raids | Vehicle impact has been used to breach reinforced doors at luxury stores. |
| Victoria (Statewide) | Retail theft | Up 18 to 24 percent | Organised groups and repeat offenders are active across both cities and suburbs. |
| Geelong suburbs | Targeted attacks | Confirmed recent cases | Incidents in locations such as Lara show that suburban areas are also at risk. |
This information is drawn from Crime Statistics Agency reports and statements released by Victoria Police. It builds a picture that is broader than retail crime alone.
The technique relies on speed. A stolen vehicle is driven into a door, often at low speed but with enough force to collapse the frame or knock the door off its tracks. Offenders take portable valuable items and leave before an alarm prompts a response.
Typical sequence
Damage often includes bent tracks, fractured frames, cracked brickwork and shattered glass. Repairs can exceed the value of the items taken.
It’s not only businesses that get targeted. Many homes store high value items inside the garage, such as bikes, tools, sporting equipment or recreational gear. Some homes sit on rear lanes or quieter streets, making it easier for offenders to approach without attracting attention.
A standard garage door, even when locked, provides little resistance to a vehicle. Once the door is pushed in, items can be removed quickly.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Blocks the vehicle at entry | Limits damage and denies access |
| Visible deterrence | Offenders prefer unprotected sites |
| Works with alarms and cameras | Adds a physical layer other systems cannot |
| Home and business suitability | Scales to different entry points |
Bollards vary in strength, design and installation method, so owners often turn to local suppliers who understand how Victorian homes and commercial sites are built. One example is First Choice Bollards, who manufactures steel bollards for both residential and business use across Melbourne and Geelong.
Through their ram raid protected removable bollards, Homeowners who want a barrier that can stop a vehicle without changing everyday access and businesses that need a permanent line of protection in front of roller doors or shopfronts.
The company’s use of thick walled steel and ground sleeves for removable posts reflects the kind of physical measures that police describe as effective in preventing forced entry. It is not the only approach available, but it is an example of how a simple barrier can disrupt a method of crime that relies on speed and impact.
Whether a property requires a bollard depends on layout, storage needs and exposure. The broader crime data shows that vehicle based forced entry is a real method used across both cities and suburbs. Alarms and cameras record incidents, but a barrier changes the outcome by stopping the vehicle itself.
For owners who want a straightforward way to reduce this risk, bollards provide a protective layer that complements other security measures and offers a practical defence against one of the fastest forms of forced entry seen in Victoria.
