Anthony Albanese is rushed to his car by Federal Police due to angry protests during the journey to Horsham

Anthony Albanese was forced to pull his car to safety after angry farmers crushed an event in regional Victoria.

Mr Albanese was on Thursday opening a regional water park in Horsham, in Victoria’s Wimmera region, three and a half hours north-west of Melbourne, when the event was disrupted by farmers protesting a power line project in the region.

Local media, including ABC Wimmera and the Mail-Times newspaper, reported that Mr Albanese rushed to his car to avoid the angry protesters.

The Mail-Times said he was escorted to his car by his federal police security team.

About 40 farmers attended the event, hoping to speak to Mr Albanese about the Victoria to NSW Interconnector West project

Protesters made “offensive hand gestures at his departing convoy and cheered and hugged him when he was gone,” the ABC reported.

Mr. Albanese later said, “It wasn’t quite clear what they were demonstrating about.”

He said there have been “substantive consultations” that would be underway.

“People always have the right to express their opinion, but they must do so with respect,” he said.

It is reported that around 40 farmers attended the event hoping to talk to the Prime Minister about the Victoria to NSW Interconnector West project.

Dozens of people gathered to protest against the planned Interconnector West project

Victorian farmer Glenden Watts traveled to Horsham from Charlton to speak with the national leader.

“We came by today to raise some awareness,” he told the Mail-Times.

“There needs to be a Senate inquiry. It’s his government pushing this through.”

Mr Watts said a large police presence prevented him and other protesters from speaking directly to the prime minister.

He also said more protests were planned, including in Melbourne.

Albanese is the first sitting prime minister to visit Horsham in eight years.

Daily Mail Australia has asked the Australian Federal Police for comment.