Café that makes the 'best coffee in Melbourne' is forced to shut down after owner was brutally attacked at work: 'It's no longer safe'
A Melbourne café owner who was brutally assaulted at work has closed down his successful business after just seven months, declaring that he no longer feels 'safe'.
Moustafa Saoud, the owner of Eleven: 11 café on Buckley Street in Footscray, was punched and kicked by a hooded man on June 20 in a horrifying attack that was captured on CCTV.
The disturbing footage shows the man approaching the owner who is standing behind the counter.
Mr Saoud is then punched in the face and kicked repeatedly.
The assailant had visited the café earlier that day on two occasions to ask for a cigarette.
On his second visit, he was refused a cigarette before returning for a third time and carrying out the attack.
Co-owners Mr Saoud and Alex Saoud made the difficult decision to shut down the business following the shocking incident.
The brothers say they have noticed a spike in drug-related violence in the area in recent months and that it's too dangerous to continue trading.
'It's not worth it, to lose my life for,' Mr Saoud told Nine News. 'I'm not gonna be safe anymore.'
'I don't need to make my mum, my dad upset, him upset. It's not safe,' Mr Saoud's brother and business partner Alex agreed.
Locals are devastated the café is closing and are fed up with the reported increase in violence and drug-use in the area.
Some are worried the increase in violence will deter new businesses from setting up in the area in the future.
One resident said the café 'made the best coffee in Melbourne' and will be sorely missed.
Victoria Police regularly patrol the area around Footscray daily to prevent drug offending and violent behaviour.
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Daily Mail
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It comes amid outrage after veteran broadcaster Selina Scott, 74, revealed she was viciously attacked and robbed in broad daylight in Piccadilly earlier this month. The stalwart of British TV was leaving a Waterstones shop on June 17 when she was struck on the back of her right knee, leaving her feeling as if she had been 'stabbed'. She was set upon by a gang who attempted to grab her backpack. Fighting back, she kept hold of the bag – but one of the thieves unzipped it and took her purse before running off. Ms Scott lost her bank cards, driving licence and cash in the robbery. Click on a circle on the map above to reveal the Numbeo Crime Index ranking, and drag the map around to see other countries. A low crime index figure and a high safety index figure are good The Numbeo index also deems a series of issues in London as 'moderate' – including concerns over stealing, robbery, car theft, being attacked or facing a racist assault. 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Stabbing attack in Yagoona, Sydney: New details emerge after man went to park to meet up with a girl
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