Man arrested outside Melbourne's public housing towers disrupting food delivery

A man has been arrested by police outside Melbourne's public housing towers overnight interrupting the delivery of food by a local charity.

Police have told 9news.com.au an unknown man "approached officers in a verbally aggressive manner" after getting out of a car on Holland Court at Flemington at 9.50pm.

Another man then joined in along with "numerous other people on the roadway who tried to restrain the men which impeded police".

The first man then ran off but a 28-year-old from Altona North, who was refusing the direction of police, was arrested.

Video from the scene appears to show the man screaming "I can't breathe" as he was being detained.

A woman can be heard pleading with officers to release the man.

"He just wants to deliver food. Please. Please. Please. Please stop. Please can you breathe?"

Police are investigating if the incident with the unknown man, which occurred during the middle of a food delivery by a local charity, is related to a minor incident at the same address earlier in the week. It is not believed to be related to the delivery of food.

The Altona North man was released pending further enquiries with police still to follow up the identity of the unknown man.

Residents within the nine towers have previously complained about their ability to get food and supplies after the five-day lockdowns came into force.