Dramatic scene in Spring St over ‘explosion’ fears

Stunned pedestrians watched on as armed police hauled a man from a car outside Victoria’s Parliament House, amid fears of an explosion. But the bomb squad has been called off.

Victoria Police had cleared the area outside state parliament this afternoon, after fears a car they pulled over could contain a bomb.

Public Order Response vehicles stopped a white sedan and dramatically removed the driver with guns drawn.

As they had the man pinned to the ground, other officers pleaded for pedestrians to clear the scene, clearly stating that the car could “explode”.

At least three public order response vehicles intercepted the vehicle, close to the steps of state parliament.

A police spokesperson said the man was removed from his car after threatening self-harm.

The man was removed from the car outside parliament.

The man, believed to be the driver, was taken from the scene.

Police were seen breaking the windows of white vehicle and removing the driver by force.

Ahmed Hassan, 23, was on the steps of state parliament when the incident unfolded.

“I saw the protective officers gathering at the front steps of parliament. Police cars were parked all around and I saw a white car drive in. It was intercepted by police and all of a sudden there was machine guns being pulled out.

“Police said move back, take everyone back because it might be extremely dangerous. They said there might be an explosion.”

Police broke the windows in the car to remove the driver.

Another eyewitness said police jumped on the Bourke St tram to get to parliament quickly.

“I noticed something strange was happening when I was coming up on the tram,” he said.

“There was police jumping on the tram and when I got up here I noticed a large number of police on the steps of parliament.There was police going through a crowd of people crossing the road. Then they blocked off the car from the front and back and jumped out guns drawn. One had a fire extinguisher.”

Other witnesses reported the man was attempting to set himself on fire inside the vehicle but police on the scene have denied there was a fire.

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The car remains at the scene.

The Herald Sun understands the bomb squad was en route, but has since been called back.

It is understood the vehicle has now been deemed safe, however the area remains cordoned off.

No-one was injured during the incident.