Windsor siege: Police operation shut down busy Melbourne retail strip as cops negotiated with a man

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.

Local Patrick described seeing around 20 to 30 police officers at the time. 

'They're being very zealous about keeping people away from a certain area,' he told ABC Radio Melbourne. 

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

Drivers and pedestrians are urged to use Williams Road or Punt Road.

Route 78 trams not operating between Stop 50 Toorak Road and Stop 42 Dandenong Road.