A man, believed to be in his 30s, has died after crashing a car during a high-speed police chase in Melbourne's inner north.

Key points: Police say man made "conscious decision" to drive at reckless speed

Police say man made "conscious decision" to drive at reckless speed No seatbelt worn, alcohol believed to be involved, police say

No seatbelt worn, alcohol believed to be involved, police say Victoria Police's Professional Standard Commands to investigate

Police said the man, who was driving a station wagon, was found lying on the road at Victoria Road, Northcote, about 11:00pm.

The driver, who has not been formally identified, died at the scene.

Highway Patrol officers had earlier tried to intercept the car on nearby Dundas Street for a traffic matter, police said.

The driver sped away to Victoria Road, where police said he hit a parked car.

Police said the man was found after the car crashed into a fence and two more parked cars further along Victoria Road.

Sorry, this video has expired Man dead after high-speed chase

Police defend pursuit

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said the car reached speeds of 120 kilometres per hour.

"I want to say this: our members attempted to intercept a vehicle and the male driver made a conscious decision not to comply with that request," he said.

"The male driver made a conscious decision to drive at speed, at reckless speed.

Police assisted the driver, but he died at the scene. ( ABC News )

"We believe there was no seatbelt worn. We think there is alcohol involved. Unfortunately, it had fatal consequences.

"Thankfully, no-one else was injured."

The pursuit lasted about 30 seconds, Assistant Commissioner Fryer said.

Victoria Police's pursuit policy was revised last year to provide more clarity and flexibility for officers, but it has not been publicly released.

Victoria Police's Professional Standard Commands will investigate the incident.