00:01Well, this is yet another business that's been targeted in a string of arson attacks
00:06occurring across Melbourne that are now almost a daily occurrence.
00:11Now, this beauty salon behind me on Pascoe Vale Road in Essendon was the latest victim.
00:17Police were called to this eyebrow salon at about 4am following reports of an attempted
00:23arson.
00:24Authorities have said that offenders attempted to light a fire, but it failed to take care
00:29to take hold.
00:31Now, there is a jerry can that has been left abandoned just outside that salon as well.
00:36And it is on the ground floor of an apartment complex, which police have told us did not
00:41have to be evacuated early this morning.
00:44The damage, though, to the business doesn't look too severe, but we did briefly speak to
00:49the owner who took over the business from her daughter after she passed away and she was
00:55visibly distraught.
00:56And she told us she has handed over CCTV footage to police.
01:02Now, of course, this comes after a spate of arson attacks on businesses across Melbourne.
01:08Hospitality venues, popular ones in particular, have been targeted.
01:13La-di-da nightclub in the CBD was targeted just earlier this week.
01:18And the night before that, Electric Bar in Melbourne's southeast as well.
01:22Now, these attacks have prompted the police to launch Operation Eclipse.
01:28They believe organised crime syndicates are behind these arson attacks, recruiting young
01:33offenders through encrypted messaging apps, paying them anywhere between $500 and $20,000.
01:41Now, whether or not this arson attack on the beauty salon behind me is linked to those other
01:47arson attacks is still yet to be determined, but police are investigating and calling for
01:52anyone with additional information or footage to come forward.
Comments