‘Erratic’ armed man arrested at hospital in Melbourne’s west

An “erratic” man wielding a box-cutter confronted hospital staff at a Werribee hospital’s Covid ward before police swooped.

An “erratic” man has been arrested after confronting staff at Mercy Private Hospital in Werribee while armed with a box-cutter.

Emergency services were called to the scene about 9.30am on Tuesday responding to reports of volatile behaviour, according to a Victoria Police spokeswoman.

“Police negotiated with the man who was armed with a box-cutter and he was arrested,” she said.

The incident is believed to have occurred within the Covid ward at Mercy Private Hospital.

A hospital spokesman confirmed the incident was “quickly dealt with” by police but declined to provide further details.

“I can say there were no injuries to patients or staff,” he said.

Three police vehicles and two appliances from the Country Fire Association remained at the hospital until the early afternoon as a precautionary measure.