UPDATE: Bourke Street Mall declared safe after bomb scare

Police have declared Bourke Street Mall in Melbourne safe, after a suspicious phone call reportedly forced the evacuation of multiple stores.

Safety checks were carried out and streets blocked off while hundreds of stranded shoppers and staff milled around outside.

It was initially believed a suspicious car parked near the entrance to Myer was the focus of the investigation.

However, police have said a suspicious phone call triggered the evacuation.

All levels of the Myer store were searched but no suspicious packages were found.

Staff and shoppers have been allowed back into the mall.