A Cairns business owner has spoken out after enduring two instances of vandalism in three months

A much loved neighbourhood fish and chip shop has been the latest victim in a spree of vandalism, which has affected a row of shops in an Earlville complex. Find out more.

Vicki Lockwood says she does not feel safe in her own shop anymore.

Owner of J’adore, a florist and gift shop on Balaclava Road, Ms Lockwood had her store broken into on Monday night.

A couple of young boys aged between eight and 12 years stole her keys, smashed her store front and have cost her thousands in insurance, she said.

“I am now out of pocket because of this, because they’ve been naughty,” Ms Lockwood said.

“It is terrifying knowing someone has been in your business or could be watching you in the distance.”

Fish and chip shop Balaclava Fish on Balaclava Road was broken into on Tuesday night, with the front glass door shattered. Vicki Lockwood, pictured with courier driver Ron Livingston, has had her adjoining florist business broken into, and had to call the owner of Balaclava Fish to notify her of the break in. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ms Lockwood said she had camera footage and was asking people in the area if they recognised the children in the video.

“I have to now add extra precautions, an alarm, extra lock on my door. I don’t feel safe in my own shop,” she said.

J’adore is one of five businesses operating in row of shops on Balaclava Road, all of whom have been victims of vandalism in recent times.

“The dog groomers have had instances three or four times, the salon a couple of times, we are sick of it,” Ms Lockwood said.

“In the last four years, things had been relatively quiet in our complex but we have had multiple break-ins since January 2023.

Balaclava Fish in Earlville has been the latest victim of vandalism on Balaclava Road. Picture: Facebook

J'adore florist and gift shop in Earlville has been vandalised twice in three months. Picture: Facebook

“There was an attempted break-in at the back of my store before Monday, they cut out my screener.”

Ms Lockwood said she is in early at half past six on most days and has resorted to physically locking herself in her shop during business hours.

“The police have been doing a wonderful job but there’s only so much they can do with their resources,” she said.

Fish and chip shop Balaclava Fish on Balaclava Road was broken into on Tuesday night, with the front glass door shattered. Glaziers work on replacing the front glass door to make the small business secure again. Picture: Brendan Radke

The very next night, another break-in was reported in the same complex and a photo of a smashed store front was posted on social media Wednesday morning.

Much loved neighbourhood fish and chip shop Balaclava Fish was broken into, the latest victim in a vandalism spree that shows no signs of easing up.

The store owner was not reachable for comment but posted her gratitude for everyone’s support on social media.

Poochies Parlour, a dog grooming and daycare boutique in the same complex space, confirmed they had been affected multiple times.

“It’s been all of us,” a store employee said.

Hayley Boissevain, owner of a beauty salon in the complex, had posted on social media in January about her shop getting broken into with the drawers and cupboards “cleaned out”.

Originally published as A Cairns business owner has spoken out after enduring two instances of vandalism in three months