SHOCKING pictures and footage show the moment someone is seen hacking the glass windows of a florist shop in Christchurch.

Fairmile Florist was targeted by a vandal over the weekend, causing extensive damage to the exterior of the building using a weapon that is believed to be an axe.

(Image: Lorraine Balding)

The florist has never experienced crime at its store in the 18 years it has been trading in Dorset. 

Owner Lorraine Balding was devastated at the incident, she said: “At 4am on Sunday, my shop was a target of an axe attack damaging all my windows and door.

“We contacted the police, but we are just another victim of crime in Christchurch even with CCTV there is no justice, being a business is hard enough, and trying to keep prices down is becoming harder.”

"It’s scary to think someone is walking around with an axe, it’s terrifying.

“This leaves us in a very vulnerable position as a business.”

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “At 7.39am on Sunday 28 July 2024, we received a report that a glass door had been smashed at around 3.55am at a floristry shop in Fairmile Road in Christchurch.

“Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and no arrests have been made.”