Three businesses were targeted in quick succession at a Blair Athol homemaker centre, leaving shattered doors and windows, damaged tills and thousands of dollars in losses as local shopkeepers demand stronger police action.

Business owner and victim Jaspal Singh told 7NEWS the damage was extensive, with the thieves smashing their way into businesses and ripping out tills.

Mr Singh’s business reportedly lost between $1,500 and $1,800 in cash, while other businesses were left dealing with extensive damage and debris scattered across their premises.

Shopkeeper Krunal Patel, another victim, said police were informed at about 7.15am, but officers did not arrive at the scene for another two to three hours.

The delay meant business owners were forced to clean up the damage before they could properly reopen and serve customers.

Mr Singh said the repeated incidents were making it increasingly difficult for small businesses to survive.

“Police are not patrolling the area and it’s very hard for small businesses to survive,” he said.

“Many have shut already.”

Another victim, Amarjit Bhamra, had a blunt message for the offenders who targeted his business.

“If we come from another country and do the hard work and get the job and everything, why don’t they do it?”

The latest break-in has intensified concerns among business owners about security around the Blair Athol and Gepps Cross commercial precincts, where retailers say break-ins, attempted burglaries and ram raids have become an ongoing concern.

Shopkeepers are calling for greater police visibility and faster responses to commercial burglaries, saying repeated attacks are leaving businesses to absorb both repair costs and lost trading time.

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