Police have handcuffed a man who was threatening to set himself alight at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship building on the corner of Spring and Lonsdale streets in the city.

A police spokeswoman confirmed the man had threatened self-harm and police had negotiated with him.

The man had threatened self-harm. Credit:Joe Armao

He had doused himself in petrol.

Police entered the foyer of the building around 5.26pm and handcuffed the man.