Victoria

School in lockdown, residents evacuated after shots fired at police during St Albans drug raid

Residents have been evacuated and a primary school is in lockdown during a siege on a property in Melbourne's north-west.

Dozens of heavily armoured special operations police have cordoned off a suburban block in St Albans after shots were fired at officers during a drug raid on Monday morning.

Up Next

Melbourne factory fire 'under control'

null
Video duration
01:50

More Victoria News Videos

St Albans siege: shots fired

Shots have been fired at police during an attempted drug raid in Melbourne's north-west. (Vision courtesy: Seven News Melbourne)

Several people are reportedly holed up inside the Levenia Street with officers zoning off the area around the address.

Police moved towards the front of the property with a battering device at 10.15am, with several officers also donning breathing apparatus. 

Opposite the house, police assembled what appeared to be a shower, seemingly to decontaminate officers set to enter the property. 

One resident of the street said it was the first trouble she had seen in the area. 

Advertisement

"Since the 70s when I move here, no problems. Very good street," she said. 

Police attended the house at 6am on Monday to execute a a drug warrant when several shots were fired by a man inside the property.

No one was injured in the shooting.

There are reports from locals and TV reporters at the scene of broken glass and a image has emerged of police at the back of the property.

The property at Levenia Street is located around the corner from a kindergarten and primary school as well as Victoria University.

University Park Primary School, located just two blocks from where the siege is unfolding, is in lockdown, the school's principal confirmed.

Only a handful of students reportedly arrived at the school after parents were notified of the unfolding drama via an app. 

The school was secure and was working with both police and the education department, the principal confirmed.

Officers reportedly door-knocked adjoining properties to warn residents to stay in their houses but as of 8am, neighbours had reportedly been evacuated.

One neighbour said on Facebook she had been woken up by the gunshots and that her children were traumatised.

"Children and I are ok so far.. we remain in the house," Zahrah Zakaria wrote. "We have the police squad around and I've just communicated and they updated me from time to time about the safety condition in the area."

"I woke up early this morning thought that was a fireworks until I realised how it was gunshots.

"Keep us in your pray[sic].. we'll be ok.. kids are aware, however they are traumatised.."

Footage from the area shows a heavy police presence, with several armoured vehicles at the site of the seige. The dog squad and air wing is also at the scene.

An armoured police truck was seen tearing down the residence's front fence while special operations police patrol the area.

Police have been trying to negotiate with the house's occupants unsuccessfully for several hours.

There are extensive traffic delays in the area, with traffic back up on the Western Ring Road.​

More police reportedly arrived at the scene as the siege entered its third hour.