A man who allegedly drove into Christmas shoppers in central Melbourne has been charged with 18 counts of attempted murder.

Saeed Noori, a 32-year-old Australian citizen of Afghan descent, has a history of drug abuse and mental health issues, police said.

Officers arrested him on Thursday and he was charged with the attempted murder of 18 people on Saturday morning.

:: Melbourne: Police to beef up Boxing Day Ashes test security

Image: A white Suzuki SUV crashed into a bollard in an area packed with Christmas shoppers

Nine foreign nationals are among 19 people who were injured after a white Suzuki SUV was deliberately driven into people, police said.


They include people from South Korea, China, Italy, India, Venezuela, Ireland and New Zealand, with a young child among the injured.

Three people remain in a critical condition in hospital, including an 83-year-old man, local media has reported.

Image: Police and emergency services at the scene

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told a press conference on Friday: "Our consular officials are working hard to get in touch with their families and make sure they're aware of what's happened to their loved ones."

He added that "no terrorism link has been identified" but that "nothing should be ruled out."

"This was a despicable and cowardly act," he said. "But I want to reassure Australians that this is an isolated incident.

"We should continue to go about our daily lives the way we always do."

Noori is set to appear in court later on Saturday.

Image: Nineteen people were injured in the crash

At the time of the crash, the area was packed with Christmas shoppers, including children, who have now finished school for their holiday break.

Police will be putting hundreds of extra officers on the streets over the coming days, but have stressed that there is "no increased threat" to the public.

In January, six people were killed and more than 30 injured just a few hundred metres away when a car ran into pedestrians in a busy shopping area.

The car was deliberately driven at crowds by a man with a history of drug abuse, family violence and mental health issues. That incident was not terrorism-related.