Just before 8pm on Wednesday two men began smashing the shopfront of Jim Hughes and Sons in the Quadrant Mall using what appeared to be crowbars.

The would-be thieves were interrupted by onlookers, one of whom gave chase.

In a dramatic escape one of the offenders was forced to jump on the back of the getaway car as it sped off.

Store owner Robert Turner said he couldn't believe a break-in would be attempted at that hour of the day. 

``I just couldn't believe the timing  _ 10 to eight,'' he said.

``The economy is going down and people are getting desperate. This is completely brazen and desperate.''

Mr Turner had collected some 1200 signatures to have something done about anti-social behaviour in the area before this.

``I've been pushing for change, I don't think it's linked but ironically I've been targeted,'' he said.

One witness said he heard a loud banging followed by shouts.

``This guy was hanging on the back of the car (as it drove off). I thought they were tying to get the person in the car,'' he said.

``Something must have happened and they wanted to get away very quickly.''

Mr Turner said the ordeal would cost him about $3500 replacing the  window and the damaged display casing.

Launceston CIB has collected CCTV footage and is investigating. 

The incident follows a spike in the number of burglaries in Launceston in July. 

Launceston uniform division Inspector Michael Johnston said police had nabbed people responsible for a significant number of the break-ins.

``Over a three-week period we got hit quite heavily with burglaries _ residential and business,'' he said yesterday. 

``Over the last seven days through some strategies we've implemented we've locked up quite a number of crooks and it's slowed down significantly again.''