The thieves struck two premises at around 5am on Saturday morning, breaking the door at The Cutting Studio hair salon, stealing cash and a mobile phone. 

The thieves also attempted to break into boutique store Bowen and Kenneth, cracking the glass door before leaving the area.

Bowen and Kenneth owners John McMahon and Sam Pridmore moved to the Daylesford region less than two months ago, and the store had only been open for a week when the would-be thieves struck.

“We came in in the morning and found the door was cracked, and when we notified the police they informed us that down the street had been targeted as well,” Mr McMahon said.  

“I think they smashed the window (at Bowen and Kenneth) and realised there was a camera and they were being filmed, so they left.”

The Daylesford store is the couple’s first premises, after operating their business from home for three years.  

Mr McMahon said while they had chosen to move to Daylesford because of the community, the attempted robbery had left them rattled.

“It was a bit hard to deal with when we first saw the broken door,” Mr McMahon said.  “We've put in all this hard work and somebody can just come in and make you feel a different way about it.” 

Acting Sargeant Lesley Glenn said police had a number of leads in regards to the crimes which were being followed, but called on anyone within the community who may have information to come forward.

Acting Sargeant Glenn said while the actions were inexcusable, most areas around the state had experienced similar crimes in the lead-up to Christmas. 

The events come after a number of similar crimes were committed elsewhere in the Hepburn Shire in the last month.

A fortnight ago a shipping container at the back of the Creswick supermarket was broken into, while other locations were vandalised, including the newly-installed splash park.