A business owner has criticised the rising level of violence sweeping across Melbourne after a horrific fight broke out in his cafe.
The wild brawl broke out inside Homm dessert bar in Melbourne’s CBD on Saturday night.
A man was repeatedly punched by what appeared to be several hooded men after the group chased him into the cafe.
Footage of the incident, which was later uploaded to social media, shows the man ducking for cover as the group of about 10 people launched a flurry of punches and pushed him against the cafe’s glass door.
Horrified diners watched the incident unfold before staff and customers intervened and forced the group out of the restaurant. No injuries were reported.
Owner Bass Sakdatorn took to social media to express his frustration at the rise in violent and antisocial behaviour affecting businesses.
“This is why we can’t have nice things in Melbourne anymore,” he said.
‘I feel like no one deserves to see violence so close.
The brutal brawl broke out inside Homm’s dessert bar on La Trobe Street in Melbourne’s CBD at around 9pm on Saturday (pictured)
Bass Sakdatorn, owner of the Homm dessert bar, fears Melbourne has become one of Australia’s most dangerous cities
‘Seeing a person being attacked from one or two meters away is really quite ugly.
He expressed fears that Melbourne had become one of Australia’s most dangerous cities and said he was disappointed by the ongoing threats to public safety.
“As a person living in Melbourne, that hurts me,” he said.
‘If this happened to a small business just starting out… the owner would have to spend more money trying to fix the place up. What did they do to deserve that?
“Australia used to be one of the safest places… I don’t know how we got to this.”
Mr Sakdatorn was at home on Saturday night when a staff member called him to inform him of the unfolding incident.
The attackers fled the scene when police arrived five minutes later.
The victim is understood to have been kicked and pushed against a glass door, causing minor injuries.
The latest incident comes as residents and business owners at the south end of Elizabeth Street express growing safety concerns.
Bass Sakdatorn (pictured) is fed up with the rise in violent and anti-social behaviour in Melbourne’s CBD.
Crime has increased by 50 per cent on Elizabeth Street in the past five years, according to figures from the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency.
Crimes include assault, criminal damage and theft.
The number of criminal incidents recorded by police in the 12 months to March 31 this year rose 10.1 percent to 396,238 from the previous period.
Locals have blamed a lack of police presence in the area and ongoing construction work for the rise in crime. The Herald of the Sun reported.
Earlier this year, a survey by Melbourne City Council found that safety, cleanliness and making public spaces more pedestrian-friendly were the top priorities for Elizabeth Street residents.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Victoria Police for further comment.
