Ram raids on the rise

IT'S a question business owners once never considered: how do I protect my store from a motor vehicle attack?

But with more and more reports of ram-raids across Brisbane and Ipswich, it's becoming a concern for people like Ray Betson.

The owner of a newsagency in Oxley, Mr Betson said he and other nearby retailers had grown concerned about the threat of ram raids.

A variation on burglary, ram-raiding consists of a vehicle being driven through the windows or doors of a closed shop to allow the perpetrators to loot it.

The most recent incident in Oxley occurred late last month when a vehicle was driven through the doors of an electronics store in an attempted break and enter.

Mr Betson said his newsagency had been outfitted with security cameras, alarms and locks - but nothing that could deter a ram-raid.

His concerns and those of other business owners in Oxley have reached the ears of Richlands councillor Milton Dick who made the issue part of his campaign for re-election.

With a petition already underway, Cr Dick said he was calling for bollards to be installed as an added safety and security measure.

"Each night on news across the south-east we are seeing more and more attacks on small businesses by the use of ram raiding," Cr Dick said.

"With the increase in these sorts of attacks, I want to make sure we do everything we can to protect local businesses.

"I believe we can protect the shops and pedestrians with bollards erected around the kerb."

The bollards would be set up on the off road area footpath in front of businesses opposite Oxley train station.

The petition in support of the bollards is available to sign at the Oxley Newsagent with more than 150 signatures already collected.