Furious cafe owner fears his city has become Australia’s most violent after wild brawl breaks out inside his eatery

A business owner has criticised rising violence in Melbourne after a horrific brawl broke out in his restaurant.

The violent brawl broke out at around 9pm on Saturday night at the Homm Desert bar in La Trobe Street, in Melbourne’s CBD.

A man was repeatedly punched by what appeared to be several masked men after the group chased him into the cafe.

Footage of the incident, later posted on social media, showed the man running for cover as the group of about 10 people threw a series of punches at him.

The shocked guests watched until a staff member intervened and forced the group out of the restaurant.

No one was injured in the brawl.

The owner of the location, Bass Sakdatorn, said he was fed up with the increasing violent and antisocial behavior at dozens of small businesses in the area.

“That’s why we can’t have nice things in Melbourne anymore,” Sakdatorn told the Herald Sun.

‘I don’t think anyone deserves to experience violence so closely.’

He expressed concern that Melbourne has become one of the most dangerous cities in Australia and said he was disappointed by the ongoing threats to public safety.

“Australia used to be one of the safest places… I don’t know how it got to this point,” he said.

Mr Sakdatorn said he was at home when the fight broke out in his restaurant.

He said the victim was kicked and pushed against a glass door.

The impact caused minor damage.

Residents and business owners in the southern portion of Elizabeth Street are continually concerned about safety in the problem area.

The venue’s owner, Bass Sakdatorn (pictured), said he was fed up with the increase in violent and antisocial behaviour affecting dozens of small businesses in the area.

Figures from the Victorian Government’s Crime Statistics Agency show crimes on Elizabeth Street have increased by 50 per cent over the past five years.

These crimes include assault, vandalism and theft.

The number of criminal incidents recorded by police in the year to March 31, 2024 rose by 10.1 percent to 396,238 compared to the same period last year.

According to locals, the increase in crime is due to the lack of police in the area and the ongoing construction work.

A Melbourne City Council survey earlier this year found that safety, cleanliness and making public space more accessible for pedestrians were the top priorities for residents of Elizabeth Street.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Victoria Police for further comment.