A police officer has been injured after being hit in the face during a brawl involving roughly 20 youths in Melbourne’s west.

A brawl between about 20 males and females broke out just after 4pm on Monday afternoon outside a Melton West shopping centre

Police were forced to intervene using capsicum spray to disperse the crowd.

An officer has been treated for a suspected broken nose after being struck in the face.

The exact cause of the affray just off High St is yet to be determined.

A number of people are being interviewed by police in relation to the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.