TWO hooded men took a sledgehammer to the window of a Petersfield optometrists during a night raid on the store for designer sunglasses.
The thieves attacked Richard C Arnold Optometrists, which is based in the Exchange Buildings in the High Street, at about 3.30am last Thursday (June 25).
They broke in and attempted to steal expensive shades from the frame display, bending the hor
izontal tubular steel bars which are three inches in diameter.
The alarm was raised and police attended the scene quickly, although the thieves had escaped before they arrived.
Charles Arnold, who manages the Richard C Arnold practice in Midhurst, was called to attend the scene.
He said: "This is a wanton and mindless attack on our premises.
"The thieves didn't get away with very many frames, but they caused a lot of damage to other stock, the window and the display units.
"The cost of replacing all of this will probably run into thousands."
This latest attack comes hot on the heels of a similar attempt to break into the company's Cowplain premises some weeks earlier.
Mr Arnold said staff at the Petersfield branch were not deterred and the shop opened for business the same morning.
"Our clients come first, even after such a disruption," he said. "It's business as usual."
Anyone who can help police with their enquiries should contact Petersfield police on 0845 045 4545 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
