<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A dedicated </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/police" rel="" target="" title="police"><span>police</span></a><span> operation has been set up to tackle "serious and organised crime syndicates" believed to be linked to a rapid spate of attacks on </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/melbourne" rel="" target="" title="Melbourne"><span>Melbourne</span></a><span> nightlife venues.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Fifteen late-night arson attacks and shootings have taken place at hospitality venues across the Melbourne CBD, South Melbourne and Prahran between April 14 and 27.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police have also linked two kidnappings to the incidents.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/health/measles-alert-nsw-health-japan-airport-hospital-warning/d35ad93c-fa21-4973-aab4-1669874b3381" target="_blank"><strong><span>Measles alert issues after infectious traveller from Japan visits Sydney</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Predominantly this has involved arson attacks, however we are also seeing instances where a firearm has been discharged or people have been kidnapped," Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The danger these offences place the community in is both significant and unacceptable."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Today Victoria Police announced the establishment of Operation Eclipse, which will focus on unearthing who is behind the attacks and why.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/operation-eclipse-melbourne-hospitality-venue-attacks/f68eaa07-029c-482c-8d4b-57bcc6821c5a" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have a very open mind as to what is behind this. We are yet to determine the motive, everything is currently on the table," Kelly said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/young-girl-sharon-missing-in-alice-springs/e63b0cbf-2b1c-48e1-9c2f-1e3dd581e5cb" target="_blank"><strong><span>Search continues for man wanted over suspected abduction of young girl in NT</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have identified specific venues and a list, so we've worked very closely with those venues in particular," Kelly said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police claim none of the venues received demands for money before they were targeted.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Twelve people have so far been arrested, most of them young "street gang members" who were tasked through encrypted apps, Kelly said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Two 16-year-old boys were charged over a foiled firebombing at Leftbank in Southbank yesterday morning.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police allege the teens were using the encrypted app Signal, telling the court of a message from 3.27am that read, "Yo what's eta on leftbank".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Another read, "Make sure you record it or we don't get paid".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/mouse-plague-australia-fresh-fears-as-farmers-share-videos-of-hordes-attacking-crops/948aac35-a296-47cc-b4ad-20fb3a164fcd" target="_blank"><strong><span>Fears of fresh mouse plague as farmers share videos of hordes attacking crops</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Kelly said those contracted to carry out attacks are paid as little as $500, although that figure can reach as much as $20,000.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A major line of inquiry for detectives is the illicit trade of spirits after a Keysborough factory went up in flames on Friday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are aware of information that potentially alcohol can be brought into the country avoiding tax, for example, now I'm not necessarily saying that's what happened here, but it is something we're looking at," Kelly said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police are also examining similarities to Melbourne's tobacco wars.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"What we can say is the methodology utilised in the illicit tobacco conflict over the last couple of years. which is basically arson as an intimidatory tactic is the link, and the way it's being tasked," Kelly said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><span> </span><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=9news.com.au" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>