Man shot by police after stabbing spree in Sydney mall

Multiple people have been stabbed and a man has been shot by police at a busy shopping centre in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Emergency services were called to Westfield Bondi Junction about 3.40pm on Saturday.

A NSW Police spokesperson told AAP there were reports multiple people had been stabbed and one man had been shot.

Paramedics are treating patients at the scene, and police have declared a critical incident.

Multiple posts on social media showed crowds of people outside the shopping centre.

Tactical police were seen at the scene along with several ambulances.

Waverley Council said on social media the shopping centre was in lockdown and advised against unnecessary travel to Bondi Junction.

Roi Huberman told the ABC he sheltered in a store as the incident unfolded and later saw people leaving the centre in tears.

"I think people are worried about what the nature of it was," he said.

Aerial footage showed multiple armed police moving through the shopping centre car park.

Police said investigations were continuing and no further information was available.