MELBOURNE, Australia – A chef in Melbourne was the victim of a violent attack by a group of youths who surrounded his restaurant in Southbank. The incident occurred on Thursday night, when two individuals entered the Food Hall Thai restaurant on Gem Pl, demanding free drinks. When their request was denied, they left but returned shortly after with more people.
According to owner Terrance Khor, approximately 20 people, mostly teenagers, formed a “gang” that surrounded the restaurant. The group then reportedly assaulted the chef with a beer bottle, causing him to sustain injuries. In a video of the incident, the chef can be seen attempting to defend the restaurant, while one of the offenders hurls a glass bottle, narrowly missing the person filming the incident.
The violent behavior continued as the group was captured on CCTV damaging the exterior of the restaurant, using chairs to smash windows and the front door. Customers and staff reported the attack to the police, but were allegedly told that no officers were available to attend. Instead, Victoria Police sent an email with a link to file a report, which left Khor feeling “very disappointed” by the lack of response.
Khor expressed shock but not surprise at the violent behavior, and emphasized the staff’s feelings of fear and lack of care in the aftermath of the incident. Police are now investigating the incident and have asked anyone with information or CCTV footage to contact Crime Stoppers. The incident is a disturbing example of the challenges faced by business owners and the lack of timely response from law enforcement in Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city. Such incidents highlight the ongoing concerns about safety and security in urban areas, prompting a call for action from local authorities to address these issues effectively.