Siege shuts down busy retail strip

A police operation created chaos for commuters in south Melbourne as police negotiated with a man.

Police were called to Albert Street in Windsor about 7.30am on Tuesday after a man was threatening self-harm.

Police arrived and started negotiating with a man in his 20s.

“While police deal with the situation we ask that the public avoid the area,” Victoria Police said.

The situation was resolved peacefully just before 10am and the man was taken to hospital for assessment.

Photographs from the scene show at least four officers dressed in bulletproof vests as they stand guard near Albert Street.

Chapel Street was closed in both directions between Dandenong Road and Union Street, due to the police incident, according to Victoria Traffic.

However, the road was re-opened about 10am.

Drivers and pedestrians were urged to use alternative routes.

Public transport commuters were delayed by the incident, with Route 78 trams stopped between Stop 50 Toorak Road and Stop 42 Dandenong Road.