Police locked down the quiet street in Woollahra for most of the day as detectives tried to work out what motivated the attack.

As reported by police, the individual parked his SUV and allegedly jumped over the consulate’s fence, entering the premises before returning to his vehicle.

When police attempted to speak to the 39-year-old man while he was sitting inside the SUV, he allegedly accelerated and rammed into the front gate.

Locals told 9News they first saw officers approach a man while he was parked in the driveway outside the consulate.

A 24-year-old police constable sustained a hand injury but received treatment from paramedics and rejoined his team at the crime scene, where officers gathered numerous bags of possible evidence.

“It was like watching an American reality show, it really was,” one resident said.

“This only happens in America, not in Sydney.”

The car was thoroughly searched and deemed safe before it was loaded onto a tow truck and taken away for forensic examination.

Although the motive is still uncertain, 39-year-old Rimi Abraham faces charges for 10 offenses, such as property damage and using a weapon offensively to hinder a police inquiry.

He will face a Sydney court tomorrow.