Armed Vic gang targets pubs and clubs

An armed gang has been robbing pubs and clubs in Melbourne, with a mother and child threatened at gunpoint during one incident.

Police believe the group of up to four men are responsible for 15 robberies, or attempted robberies, of gaming venues between December and March.

A mother and her young daughter were forced off the road, threatened at gunpoint and dragged from their car after a robbery in February, as the gang stole their vehicle to flee.

The offenders have been threatening staff and patrons with shotguns, rifles, handguns and knives before making off with cash.

CCTV footage shows the men wearing coloured cloth around their faces, and police say they usually take off in stolen cars.

Detective Inspector Steve Clark says the group is becoming increasingly violent, and has called for the public help to identify them.

"To threaten a woman and her child like this is particularly concerning and we need to get these men off the streets," he said on Tuesday.

"These men are running through hotels with guns, threatening people, assaulting people, placing patrons and the public in significant danger."

The most recent incident happened on Saturday.

Pubs and clubs in Melbourne's northwest- including Laverton, St Albans, Craigieburn, Roxburgh Park, Keilor, Brunswick and Epping - have been targeted.