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Another Melbourne hospitality venue has been targeted in an attempted arson attack, less than a day after police warned revellers to beware firebombings following a string of attacks at bars across the city this week.
Bar Bambi in the CBD became the seventh victim after unknown offenders attempted an arson attack and burglary about 6am on Saturday.
Police were called to the AC/DC Lane cocktail bar after a suspicious vehicle was reported outside.
“It is believed unknown offenders forced entry to the business in an attempt to set it on fire and fled the scene prior to police arrival,” a police spokesperson said. “Police located a jerry can outside the premises.”
Fire Rescue Victoria crews also attended the scene and assisted police with the investigation.
There have been attacks on six other venues since Tuesday: the Men’s Gallery on Lonsdale Street; the Albion Hotel and Kittens Strip Club in South Melbourne; the Emerson in South Yarra; and two Southbank venues – the Soho restaurant and bar and a neighbouring business.
There was also a drive-by shooting at the Men’s Gallery on Friday morning, after the attempted arson on Tuesday.
Detective Inspector Chris Murray said on Friday it was a mystery why hospitality venues had suddenly become targets.
“Certainly, the [venue] owners have been co-operative,” Murray said. “They don’t understand why they are being targeted.”
Police have urged people enjoying themselves at nightlife venues in Melbourne to call Triple Zero if they see suspicious activity.
Murray said the offenders were generally young men who were had been hired through the criminal equivalent of AirTasker – a website used to outsource jobs to strangers – and paid a few hundred dollars.
“Often, they don’t even know who they’re working for,” he said. “That’s the business model that we see.
“Young individuals are being used for a few hundred dollars, and then we’ve seen in recent times in court cases, they’re getting long stints in prison. Again, I ask, is that worth it?”
He said the common denominator in the firebombings was there was “someone sitting above who is pulling the strings”.
Murray added that firebombings carried a huge risk of seriously injuring or killing people inside targeted venues, and those carrying out the attacks.
“They’re rolling the dice,” he said. “They don’t know who’s in there.”
The police investigation into the latest attempted firebombing and burglary is continuing. Anyone with information about who is responsible for the attacks or the motivation behind them has been urged to come forward.
Bar Bambi’s owners were contacted for comment.
With Ashleigh McMillan and Lachlan Abbott
Angus Delaney is a reporter at The Age. Email him at angus.delaney@theage.com.au or contact him securely on Signal at angusdelaney.31Connect via email.From our partners
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