THIEVES who jimmied a toilet door and smashed down a wall to break into a Machinery Dr sewing machine store have escaped with $28,000 in equipment.

Allcraft Sewing Machines in Tweed Heads South was targeted last week with thieves gaining access through a toilet adjoining the building.

Owner Paul Overton found the toilet door broken open and a hole smashed in the adjoining wall when he came to open the shop just after 8am on Friday.

A $20,000 embroidery machine was among the equipment stolen.

"I've had this shop for three years and there's never been anything like this," Mr Overton said.

"I was devastated.

"We have insurance which will cover most of it but the landlord has had to put a steel door in the back and install alarms now.

"They must have known something about the building because they knew breaking into that toilet and smashing the wall would get them access in here."

Tweed Byron crime manager Sergeant Saul Wiseman said this kind of behaviour was exactly what police were targeting.

He said forensic investigation was still underway and police were increasing their visibility in commercial precincts in the evenings as part of Operation Fornax.

"Plain clothes and uniformed officers are increasing their patrols in the early and late evenings and speaking to people hanging around," Sgt Wiseman said.

"We want businesses to operate with safety in mind, don't count money in front of people, make sure there is plenty of lighting so people can see what's going on."

For information on keeping your business safe, visit Crime Prevention.

If you have any information that could assist police with the investigation call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.