Melbourne's Pubs and Clubs Under Threat

Topic:Crime

Michael Trimble says everyone is worried about being the next target.

There have been drive-by shootings, kidnappings, and arson attacks.

Almost 20 attacks have happened since early April.

Threatening messages are making people in the industry more afraid.

Michael Trimble was silent until now, but he's speaking out because the city is like a 'war zone'.

He says everyone is hoping they won't be next, but they can't just hide.

It's like the 'Wild West' in Melbourne right now.

There was a suspicious fire at La Di Da nightclub.

It's hard to feel safe when there are so many incidents happening every day.

Michael Trimble doesn't know how much worse it has to get before something is done.

Mr Trimble owns Bar 20, which is in the heart of Melbourne's CBD.

There was a fire at La Di Da nightclub on Tuesday morning.

The venue is on the corner of King and Little Bourke streets.

Mr Trimble's neighbors were fire-bombed, which is causing anxiety for him and his staff.

The police are considering all options to stop the attacks.

Victoria Police started Operation Eclipse to find the organized crime groups behind the attacks.

Bar Bambi had its windows smashed and was set on fire.

The police are looking at many possible motives, including the illegal alcohol trade.

Detective Inspector Jason Kelly says everything is being considered as a possible motive.

Illicit alcohol is alcohol that is made, sold, or distributed illegally.

Bootleg liquor is low-quality alcohol that can be bad for your health.

The police think an organized crime group is using the app Signal to recruit young people to carry out attacks.

The police are investigating a fire at Electric Bar in Prahran.

Mr Trimble doesn't think the attacks are related to illicit alcohol sales.

He's trying to make sense of what's happening and find a pattern.

Some bar owners got a threatening message from 'The Cartel'.

The message said they would take what they want by force and the police can't help.

Mr Trimble got the message and wasn't sure if he should panic or not.

He's used to all the madness in Melbourne, so he didn't panic right away.

It's not just bars and restaurants that have been attacked.

An alcohol company was destroyed in an arson attack, causing $4.5 million in damage.

The police and people in the industry are worried that innocent people could get hurt.

Detective Inspector Kelly says people should be alert and call triple zero if they're concerned.

Josh Collins owns a cocktail bar and is worried about the attacks.

He says the anonymous message is 'terrifying'.

He's nervous and thinks the level of attacks is unprecedented.

He's worried that his business could be a target.

He might leave the industry if he gets a threatening message like that.

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