Local businesses are up in arms after a build-up of shop windows being smashed or marred, as well as other defacing damage in the CBD, in the dead of night.
Victim to one such senseless crime recently is Emma Maloney of Ladybug Gift Shop.
Mrs Maloney returned to her refurbished store in William St, which she only opened in the last few months, to find the front windows smashed and other damage.
She was confident the callous mess was caused by intoxicated parties passing by from a nearby venue.
But what’s most unfair, she said, is that “local businesses are struggling enough and this just causes more financial heartache – not to mention the time it takes to make your shop look nice again.
“I’ve spoken to so many shop owners and we are all in the same boat – it’s happening too much.
“If people want to argue or behave in that way, then go away from the local businesses,” she said.
“These people need to think about how they are hurting local shop owners and our economy.
“We are the ones who have to cop the insurance excesses, when we are just trying to keep our heads above water.
“I should be spending money on stock, not insurance claims.
“These people [who do the damage] do not have an argument with us, so please stay away from our shop fronts.”
Mrs Maloney said she believed police had been reviewing CCTV footage to try and cull culprits.
