Youth offenders, wearing hoodies and masks smashed their way into a popular Rangiora Jeweller causing thousands of dollars worth of damage.

At 3AM on Monday, four youths first tried to kick in the front door of Rangiora Showcase Jewellers on High Street.

When that didn’t work, they smashed a hole in the side of the shop and gained entry.

Rangiora Showcase Jewellers owner Dave Stewart told Chris Lynch Media the criminals stole a lot of items, smashing cabinets and display cases.

“We’re a husband and wife-owned business, employing four local staff members, and we’re gutted this sort of thing is happening.”

David said the shop had a comprehensive camera system and was fully alarmed.

“We’ve got great footage of the offenders, which police have.”

It’s the second incident at the store. About a year ago, a window was smashed and jewellery was stolen.

Last night’s attack follows the smash-and-grab at a vape store on Williams Street in Kaiapoi on Sunday morning.

Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey said it was “incredibly alarming to hear of yet another shop in Waimakariri becoming the target of an overnight break-in.”

He said following on from the ram raid of a dairy late last year and two retail shops on the High Street over New Years, this is clearly part of a growing trend.”

Doocey said he had visited the Rangiora Showcase Jewellers shop owners this morning and said it was comforting that no one had been hurt.

However, with the pressures on small business at the moment this is the last thing our business community needs”.

He said “from the feedback I’ve received, many other business owners are feeling a sense of increased anxiety due to these spikes in retail crime.”

Doocey said one solution could be a community-led CCTV network in the district.

“I am joining the growing call from residents and business owners to increase our CCTV network and ensure we are able to identify offenders in a timely manner.”