If you ram‑raid a building - including any retail premises - you can now be jailed for up to 25 years.
From today, the Allan Labor Government's tougher penalties are in effect.
Ram‑raiders will now also be charged with aggravated burglary and face serious consequences.
These changes will protect workers and the community.
Ram‑raiding involves using a vehicle to smash into a building to steal, cause damage or commit an assault.
It is dangerous, violent and deeply traumatic for staff, business owners and the wider community.
Until now police have used offences such as theft or burglary for ram-raiding.
The new laws give Victoria Police a stronger charge.
This reflects the serious harm ram‑raiding has on workers and communities.
The new charge will also fall under Adult Time for Violent Crime which came into effect in February.
This means offenders will face serious consequences, regardless of age.
These changes follow Labor's work to protect retail, transport, hospitality and fast‑food workers across Victoria.
In December, new laws came into force with people facing up to five years in jail for assaulting or threatening customer‑facing workers.
Lower‑level abuse would also see people facing up to six months jail.
The new protections cover all customer-facing workers including retail, hospitality, security, cleaners, delivery riders, taxi and rideshare drivers, public transport operators and even contractors working on-site.
The Labor Government is also developing Workplace Protection Orders so that if you are violent to retail workers, you can be banned from that workplace.
These reforms will help keep workers, businesses and communities safe from violence and intimidation.
Only Labor has new solutions to make life safer for families.
As stated by Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny
"Violent attacks on local businesses and workers won't be tolerated and we're making that clear with stronger laws."
"We will keep taking action to protect Victorian workers - because everyone deserves to come home safely from work."
As stated by Minister for Police Anthony Carbines
"This is about protecting businesses and communities - giving police the tools they need to stop violent offenders and keep Victorians safe."
