Melbourne hospitality business owner living in fear over series of attacks

Exclusive: A Melbourne hospitality identity whose business is among a growing number of venues targeted in a slew of firebombings and shootings has fled the city in fear.

The business owner, who A Current Affair has chosen not to name to ensure his safety, said the industry was being terrorised by a "ghost" who had not yet revealed their motive.

"We are in the midst of what I would call a hospitality terrorism attack," the business owner said.

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It comes as Victoria Police announced a major operation into at least 15 incidents involving Melbourne hospitality venues in a fortnight, including firebombings, shootings and possible kidnappings.

The Emerson in South Yarra was filled with patrons when it was targeted in a drive-by shooting on Sunday, and it was the subject of an attempted arson a week earlier.

Hours after the Emerson shooting, arsonists torched Bar Up on nearby Chapel Street.

City institution Bar Bambi has also been targeted and two people were arrested after police foiled a suspected attack on the France-Soir bistro on Toorak Road, South Yarra.

Police suspect the mayhem is being orchestrated by organised crime syndicates recruiting foot soldiers, including children, on encrypted messaging platforms to carry out the attacks for hundreds of dollars a hit.

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The hospitality owner said the motive remained a mystery as none of the venues he was aware of had received any extortion demands.

"Everyone wants to get our story out but everyone's too scared to do it because they're worried they'll be targeted," he said.

"People have left their homes, they have 24-hour security around their houses and these are just normal business guys.

"There is media dialogue that we're being extorted and there's this other one that there's bootleg booze being sold which is just not true.

"Nobody has been offered bootleg booze.

"We are normal people, normal business operators, we're not tied up in anything wrong, there's no link between us."

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Victoria Police announced a major operation to combat the crisis, dubbed Operation Eclipse.

"The potential for death is real here," Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly told reporters.

He said police were keeping an open mind as to the motive.

"Everything is on the table, whether it's conflict within the industry, whether it's illicit alcohol, whether it's standover extortion activities, competitors, nothing's ruled out.

"Operation Eclipse will bring together investigators, specialist services, intelligence experts from our Gang Crime Squad in particular, our Arsons and Explosives Squad, our VIPER Taskforce, Economic Crime (team), Organised Crime Division and Cyber Crime Division."

Police have already arrested 12 people, including two teenagers who were allegedly caught with jerrycans during a foiled arson attack on a Southbank bar just days ago.

Police will now saturate nightlife hotspots, including deploying undercover officers in plain clothes.

"We are very keen to speak to any members of the public, whether you are in the liquor industry, the entertainment industry, the security industry, or a patron of some of these venues, in terms of what you know," Kelly said.

He urged revellers to be alert when heading out.

"We want people to be safe, but also feel safe.

"And so I acknowledge that this would be concerning for the community.

"I encourage people to go about their lives as they would, but be alert and contact Triple Zero if you're concerned."