hoppers at a busy centre have been left shocked after a man carrying a knife wandered through the complex.

Police were called to Forest Hill Chase in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs about 11.50am on Thursday.

Video posted on social media appears to show the man walking through the centre with a knife in his right hand as concerned shoppers look on.

Witness Lou told 3AW radio he spotted the man near the Coles supermarket shortly before police arrived.

“There’s a gentleman outside the Coles supermarket with headphones on that was pacing up and down near the escalators with a knife,” he said.

“The police have arrived, I think there’s four police cars in attendance when I left.

“It looked like a butcher’s boning knife, about eight inches long.”

Police said no threats were made with the weapon and no injuries were reported.

The 30-year-old Box Hill man was arrested without incident and taken to hospital for assessment, police said.

He was taken to hospital for assessment and is expected to be interviewed.

“And this is why u don’t let my 12 yo go to shopping centres solo! He thinks I’m too strict – grateful for the footage to back my argument!” one user said.

“Petrifying,” said another.

The man is expected to be interviewed by police.