Police drag 100 from protest site

Demonstrator affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street protests confront New York City police officers. Photo / AP

Police yesterday forcibly removed about 100 protesters from Melbourne's city square after they defied an order to leave.

Most of the Occupy Melbourne protesters resisted police and several officers dragged them out of the protest area that had been set up last Saturday.

Some protesters screamed and cried as they were removed. A small number walked from the site peacefully.

Most of the protesters were moved outside the fence surrounding the city square. It is unclear whether any have been arrested.

It took about 10 minutes to clear all the protesters from the site and a large police contingent was last night occupying the area.

A large crowd gathered around the city square and watched events unfold.

Hundreds more protesters had occupied Swanston St, preventing trams and cars from moving through the city centre.

The protesters had been told to leave by 9am (local time).

Earlier, riot police using protective shields moved in on protesters and officers deconstructed the camp site, destroying tents and putting belongings into a van.

The tents had been pitched since Saturday as part of the worldwide movement that began as Occupy Wall Street in New York.

Occupy Melbourne spokesman Jacob Grech earlier said protesters had remained peaceful and they were determined to stay put.

- AAP