A shopping center in Melbourne was placed on lockdown, leading to the evacuation of shoppers and staff following a reported knife fight involving 10 individuals.

Victoria Police reported that two men have been taken into custody after the incident at Northland Shopping Centre in Preston occurred at 2:30 pm.

Ambulance Victoria has confirmed that a teenager has been transported to the hospital with severe injuries.

“The centre was locked down as the incident took place and remains closed while police investigate,” Victoria Police said.

Footage shows shops with the shutters down as sirens sound.

One woman rang 3AW to report said she had been forced to shelter inside a shop with the lights off, before being told to “evacuate” the building.

“There were people screaming outside, people running,” Lina told 3AW.

“There was a lot of people running here and there going into stores.”

“We knew nothing, we saw a lot of frightened people.”

Other mobile videos show crowds of people leaving via stairwells, and a helicopter overhead.

It is understood people have now been let out of the centre.

Police say they believe the gangs knew each other, and are appealing for witnesses.