The Candy Wrapper left to pick up the pieces after being hit by crime again

A Townsville candy shop owner says she’s too scared to close over the holidays after being impacted by crime again - this time with a brick paver. See what happened.

Staff at The Candy Wrapper were left to pick up the pieces after the store was vandalised with a brick paver in a failed break in attempt over the weekend. Picture: Supplied.

A Townsville business owner says she is too afraid to close her candy store over the Christmas break after being impacted again by criminals in a failed break-in attempt over the weekend.

Tammy Mason first opened her old-fashioned sweets store, The Candy Wrapper, on Fulham Rd in 2016, before moving to French St, and finally back to her original Fulham Rd location six months ago.

Ms Mason said it just after midnight on Saturday when someone grabbed a brick paver out of the garden and unsuccessfully tried to smash their way through the store’s front window.

She only discovered the vandalism on Sunday morning after arriving at the shop with her mother, with aftermath of the police investigation and glazier repairs, delaying their opening by several hours.

“It’s just devastating. They didn’t get in because I’ve got great (hard plastic) screening on the inside, and they’ve tried to throw the brick against it … they realised they probably couldn’t get in, and then they must have left,” Ms Mason said.

Tammy Mason at the Candy Wrapper’s former French St, Pimlico location. Picture: Evan Morgan

Fortunately nothing was stolen from the store but the cost of the call-out and replacement glass has set her back almost $1400.

This latest break-in attempt comes after the business was hit by thieves not long after it opened, with the stolen items and additional security measures costing Ms Mason around $5000 at the time.

The Candy Wrapper was vandalised with a brick paver in a failed break in attempt over the weekend. Picture: Supplied.

The Candy Wrapper was vandalised with a brick paver in a failed break in attempt over the weekend. Picture: Supplied.

“I think it may have been somebody that hasn’t been into the store, because if it was someone that had … they would have seen that it is fully secure, that no one can break in,” she said.“We usually close between Christmas and New Year, but I’m scared to close. Security are going to triple their patrols around this area.”

She thanked the community for their support and appealed on social media for CCTV footage from nearby businesses and residents, as well as those who might have dashcam footage to come forward.

The Candy Wrapper staff member Kinley and owner Tammy Mason, after their business was hit by crime over the weekend. Picture: Supplied.

“With Townsville’s crime, everybody is sick of it, and they are more aware of keeping an eye on their friends and family as well,” she said.

“You talk to anybody and they have been a victim, or they know of a victim of crime, and the police can only do what the police can do, they’re fantastic, (but) their hands are tied.

“(With this (youth crime) law coming out, hopefully it will be a big difference. I think it will.”

The Candy Wrapper has a beautiful Christmas display to delight Townsville's sweet tooths. Picture: Supplied.

The Candy Wrapper has a beautiful Christmas display to delight Townsville's sweet tooths. Picture: Supplied.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman confirmed that the store was vandalised sometime between 11pm Saturday and 1am on Sunday.

Police investigations are ongoing and there are no suspects in custody.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Quote this reference number: QP22402214968.

Originally published as The Candy Wrapper left to pick up the pieces after being hit by crime again