Melbourne police have urged bar owners to scrutinize their own staff—promoters and security personnel alike—as part of the investigation into a recent surge of violence targeting hospitality venues. At an exclusive forum held Tuesday for city venue operators, senior officers outlined five primary theories driving the wave of attacks, which have included arson, assaults, and attempted kidnappings.

According to a presentation at the event, officers are exploring several possible motives: the sale of untaxed or illegally distilled alcohol; the distribution of cocaine within venues; targeted attacks on promoters allegedly involved in unlawful activity; extortion attempts where the industry is being pressured to pay a so-called “tax”; and orchestrated assaults linked to a close associate of jailed crime boss Kaz Hamad, believed to be coordinating from Iraq.

Detectives from Operation Eclipse, the task force leading the probe, have urged licensees to verify the credentials and backgrounds of their staff and promptly report any suspicious behavior. Police disclosed for the first time that financial demands had been made in connection to the violence, with threatening messages sent to hospitality workers requesting unspecified sums of money.

The forum also featured a presentation from Fire Rescue Victoria, highlighting concerns about youth gang members implicated in many attacks. These individuals often lack experience with arson, a fact underscored by recent footage showing a failed attempt to set fire to a city bar after the perpetrator accidentally ignited his own clothing. Investigators have also noted that suspects frequently flee in stolen vehicles equipped with cloned number plates.

The event was led by Melbourne East local area commander Inspector Dale Huntington and Operation Eclipse detectives, aiming to provide venue operators with the latest intelligence. The briefing coincided with the state government’s announcement of a $10 million Hospitality Security Fund designed to help bars and nightclubs upgrade security measures such as CCTV systems, reinforced doors, alarms, and fire suppression equipment.

The initiative has drawn cautious optimism from industry representatives. Melbourne’s first “Night Mayor,” James Young, who owns and books Cherry Bar, welcomed the funding but expressed reservations about police requests for direct access to internal CCTV footage. “My bar is like my home,” Young said, noting that unrestricted police access would be “a bridge too far,” particularly given the volume of footage generated during late-night operations. However, he supported installing high-quality cameras in areas prone to arson.

Michael Trimble, co-owner of Bar20 on King Street, echoed concerns about increased surveillance, warning against imposing a “Big Brother” model on ordinary citizens amid government shortcomings in controlling violent crime. Despite reservations, Young confirmed plans to apply for funding to enhance door and alarm security.

Victoria’s Police Minister Anthony Carbines pledged an additional $5 million to boost the force’s command center, which will be staffed around the clock by officers and detectives to closely monitor the situation. “Bar owners need help and assistance, and this is a concrete measure that boosts up some of the work they’re already doing themselves,” Carbines said, adding that the government would continue supporting industry efforts to address the ongoing threats.