Horror moment Afghan druggie driver ploughs into Melbourne shoppers ‘because of Australia’s poor treatment of Muslims’ – as cops take him off for ‘interrogation’

HORRIFYING CCTV footage has captured the moment a man drove an SUV into a crowd of people as revenge for "the way Muslims are treated".

Saeed Noori, a 32-year-old Australian of Afghan descent, is alleged to have driven the car through a Melbourne intersection yesterday mowing down 19 people.

Cops say he has a history of mental illness and drug abuse. He was released from hospital today and is currently undergoing police interrogation.

Footage showed him being trying to hide his face as he was transported into a police station while handcuffed and flanked by cops.

Acting Chief Commissioner Shane Patton today said that from his hospital bed, Noori had made ";utterances" and spoke about "dreams and voices".

But they still scratching their heads for a clear motive and say they have found no links to terrorism.

Patton said: "Obviously we've done search warrants last night and we haven't found anything at all to indicate his linkage or involvement with any type of extremism, with any terrorist organisation or anything of a terrorist nature.

"So given the mental illness background and everything we need to step carefully and the investigation is ongoing."

Asked if there were links to terrorism, he said: "That's certainly one area we're exploring in respect to motivation.

But he added: "We haven't identified any extremist links with this man. We haven't identified him linked to any groups.

"We haven't identified anyone inciting him to do any actions, or any prior extremist activities prior to those utterances last night."

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull added: "He has said, in a number of what the police are describing as utterings, that he attributed his actions to perceived mistreatment of Muslims.

"But at this stage, because investigations are continuing, apart from that statement, there are no known links to any political issues, or any links to extremist groups, and I am advised at the moment that no terrorism link has been identified".

He noted that "a mass of material" was being investigated and "nothing should be ruled out".

Video captured by nearby security cameras shows the Suzuki Grand Vitara head towards a large crowd crossing the street.

The car appears to accelerate as it approaches the pedestrians and continues to charge through the crowds.

The shoppers disperse as bodies are flung on to the road after apparently being hit by the large vehicle. Witnesses at the scene described seeing bodies flying “like dolls” after being hit.

Nine of the victims were foreign nationals and among them was a 25-year-old Irish woman who is in a stable condition in hospital, police said.

Lachlan Read told the Herald Sun the incident lasted about 15 seconds.

"It was bang, bang, bang. It was just one after the other.

"The last bang the car stopped," the 20-year-old said. "There were bodies on the ground and people running up to them - it was mayhem."