Nine inmates remain on the run this afternoon after escaping from a youth detention centre in central Victoria and stealing three cars.
Up to 15 inmates escaped during a riot involving 30 inmates at Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre about 2.45pm, police said.
At least three stolen cars are believed to have been involved in the escape.
Police believe a red hatch with the registration 1HZ 5UM, a white Suzuki SUV with registration WILMAK and a blue Falcon sedan are involved.
https://twitter.com/VictoriaPolice/status/824146970352779266
Previous reports cited a green Holden sedan and a white ute.
The direction the known cars are travelling in is unknown, police said.
Superintendent Craig Willard said at 5pm AEDT that it was nine inmates on the run and described the situation as "fluid".
He said it was "still not under control".
We still do not have security to the level we would like,” he said.
9NEWS has been told one of the stolen cars was travelling on the wrong side of the Calder Freeway, at speeds of up to 150km/h.
CCTV obtained by 9NEWS filmed what appeared to be the stolen red hatch at a service station in Chewton.
It is understood the driver of the vehicle stole petrol and fled.
Another vehicle believed to involved in the incident, a ute, was earlier found by police dumped near the Calder Freeway.
Witness Ray Blackmore told 9NEWS the ute rammed his car, before several of the inmates with iron bars jumped out of one.
Mr Blackmore said the “only reason” the inmates stopped was because they saw his grandchild, Ally, in the back seat.
“As soon as they saw her, they backed off”.
There have been no injuries, police said.
Six of the escapees have been arrested and are in police custody.
Specialist forces including the Dog Squad, Operations Response Unit, Fugitive Taskforce and CIRT will assist police.
Images captured by the 9NEWS choppercam showed several inmates on the roof.
It is believed the inmates have now come down from the roof.
Police have advised people in the vicinity of the centre to avoid the area.
Anyone who sees the vehicles described is urged to call Triple Zero (000).
This is a developing story. More information will be added as it comes to hand.