New South Wales [Australia], August 16 (ANI): A spree of early-morning burglaries has rocked Blair Athol in Australia, leaving multiple store owners grappling with thousands of dollars in property damage and financial losses.

According to a report by ‘The Australia Today’, three separate shops, owned by Indians, were hit in rapid succession, resulting in shattered glass doors, destroyed cash registers, and debris strewn across storefronts.

Citing 7NEWS, The Australia Today reported that among those affected were local traders Jaspal Singh and Amarjit Bhamra and business owner Krunal Patel.

The victims highlighted the heavy toll such crime takes on small traders and raised concerns over law enforcement response times.

Australia Today reported that Patel stated that despite notifying authorities early in the morning, police officers took nearly three hours to arrive at the crime scene to commence investigations.

The string of targeted break-ins has sparked strong outrage among local shopkeepers, who are now united in demanding stepped-up police patrols and stronger law enforcement action to safeguard suburban commercial precincts. (ANI)