A BUSINESS owner has been left ‘heartbroken’ after five high street stores were smashed in a late-night attack.
Supermarkets, barbers and a dentist were some of the businesses effected by the “senseless attack”.
CCTV footage shows two young males walking down Wimborne Road in Winton, throwing rocks at store fronts at around 1.30am on Sunday, April 14.
The damage began at Smile Stories before continuing down the road to Deardens News, Betfred, M&H Barbers and Waitrose.
Witnesses said the vandals appeared to have come prepared with objects in backpacks before launching them at various windows.
Ako Ali, company director of M&H Barbers, said it will cost his business around £1000 to fix the damage.
He said: “We work seven days a week, we work hard and now £950 to fix this.
“It has been very difficult.
“We want to deliver the best service for our community, we want to make the community happy and we’re just heartbroken.”
Ako is now considering spending more money on installing extra security for his shop front.
He said: “In Winton we have never had an issue.
“In our Moordown site we had one incident last year but not on this road.
“In Bournemouth it should not happen.”
He added: “Police will arrest them then release them on bail, then in two to three months it will just happen again.”
It is understood the criminals did not gain entry to any of the five sites or take anything from the stores.
One resident said she had seen numerous break-ins of charity shops but nothing on this scale.
She said: “It is a shame for the businesses, and it is not fair on them.
“There is nothing to deter people.”
A Dorset Police spokesperson said: "We received a report at 1.30am on Sunday 14 April 2024 of a group of people throwing items at shop windows in Wimborne Road in Winton.
"Offices attended and carried out enquiries in the area. It was reported that damage was caused to the windows of Waitrose, Smile Stories, Deardens newsagents, Bet Fred and M & H Barbers.
"A man aged in his 30s and a man aged in his 40s, both from Bournemouth, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
"They have been released on police bail as further enquiries are carried out."
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