A shirtless man who allegedly tried to stab police in Melbourne overnight has been arrested.

Police will allege an officer was lucky to escape injury when the “agitated” man stabbed at the window of a police car in Eltham in the city’s north about 10pm on Tuesday.

The incident unfolded after police received a number of calls from the public about a shirtless man who was witnessed pacing the street and allegedly holding two knives at the corner of Reynolds and Main roads.

Police will allege when they arrived the man charged at officers and broke the knife as he stabbed at the officer’s closed window.

Officers established a roving cordon while the man ran and yelled at police before they negotiated with him to drop the knives, it will be alleged by police.

The 21-year-old from Eltham was then taken into custody and transported to hospital with a self-inflicted injury and for assessment.

North West Metro Inspector Zorka Dunstan said the incident highlighted the difficult and challenging scenarios police could face day in and day out.

“The responding officers are to be commended for their actions in a very dynamic incident,” Insp Dunstan said.

Anyone who witnessed the incident has been urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

jack.paynter@news.com.au

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ7zZqroqeelrlwwsicq6iqmZZ8pL7Ippxoq5iev7W4xKyqZqWRo3qiuMuenp6cnK56tb7InqpmrJ9iwLWtwWanqKSZmLJutc1mnKWsmJa6cLrEsKpmq6Skv7p7l3FnbXBnZbJ6ssBra56eZWmAp6%2BSmm%2BebWKWsXWyk3I%3D