Victoria's police now able to use lethal force to stop vehicles being used as weapons

In an Australian first, Victoria's police will be able to use lethal force to stop vehicles being used as weapons to kill people. The new "hostile vehicle" directive comes years after the deadly Bourke Street rampage.

Victoria Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Shane Patton Source: SBS

The new hostile vehicle policy mandates police take any tactical response necessary to save lives.

Deputy Commissioner Patton says police will undergo training on the new policy that sets out tactical responses to car attacks.

The lethal force directive has been enacted immediately.