Business owners were devastated to be met with what was described as a "path of destruction" in the heart of Robe on January 31.

Plants were ripped from their pots and strewn across the pavement, bins were tipped over and left in the middle of the road and vehicles were also damaged or vandalised.

A local resident said they heard rowdy behaviour along the residential area on Lord Syleham Rd. "Between 2am and 2.15am I heard people outside...there was more than one person.

"The next morning I saw the bins tipped over and pushed into the middle of the road...just left there.

"This behavior is vindictive and unfortunate. It was such a devastating mess to see.

"To look at the damage around the town was like a tornado had been through the streets."

It's not the first time Robe businesses have been hit by vandals, with various acts committed consistently through the year.

Paul Birchall from the Mulberry Cafe said vandalism was all too common. "The damage is constantly happening around the town...it has to stop," he said.

"Individuals are costing the business owners to replace the damage that is done.Just this weekend we had our bins damaged and scattered all over the place, cafe banners pushed over and broken." Mr Birchall said vandals needed to consider who was left to clean up the destruction caused.

"We have had windows smashed before, lights ripped out and our cool room switched off. The following day always results in a clean-up...hours are spent by locals.

"It is our time wasted on this mindless vandalism. It is a weekend occurrence. In my eyes it's alcohol stemmed...there needs to be a cut-off point.

"To see this put to an end we will have to consider placing security cameras in our establishments and around the town.

"The community needs to know who those people are...enough is enough. People need to be taking responsibility for when things are done. The community needs to work together and support each other."

Local businessman Bill Purton it was disrespectful of the individual locals involved.

"It is hard enough doing business in Robe without the additional expenses and aggravation from vandalism," he said.

There was no damage done to the other side of Victoria St, however unaffected business owners were still disappointed at the vandalism.