Two men injured after alleged axe attack in Melbourne

The windscreen of a car after two men were allegedly attacked in Rosebud. Photo / News Corp Australia

Brave shoppers tried to stop an armed man who allegedly attacked and seriously injured two men with a tomahawk at a shopping centre in Melbourne's southeast.

Police were called to the Rosebud Plaza in McCombe St on the Mornington Peninsula just after 10.15am to reports of a man allegedly armed with a tomahawk axe.

Police probing the scene at Rosebud Plaza after two men were seriously injured. Photo / News Corp Australia

Sergeant Sarah Blackmore told reporters a man was quickly arrested by Rosebud police and taken into custody, and there was no ongoing threat to public safety.

She alleged the man randomly attacked two men, aged 47 and 63, with a tomahawk.

Blackmore said both men had been take to The Alfred hospital with serious upper body injuries.

She said good Samaritans came to the aid of the two men and tried to distract the attacker and stop the assault.

"There were definitely people who were trying to intervene, trying to deflect his attention from the victims to try to get him to stop," Blackmore said.

A man has been arrested after two men were seriously injured at Rosebud Plaza. Photo / Supplied

"It was an extremely dangerous thing to do and it's not something I would suggest for everyone to do, but it was certainly very brave."

In a statement on Facebook, Rosebud Plaza said the centre was closed for trade while police investigated the incident.

"The victims were not known to the offender who has since been apprehended by the local authorities," they said.

"The victims were treated onsite by emergency services and have been transferred to hospital. Our thoughts and best wishes are with the victims for a speedy recovery."

Sergeant Newman said police were working to determine the exact circumstances of the incident and the investigation was ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.