Police were called to Brown St about 11am following reports the  33-year-old man was armed with the syringe.

He was reportedly chased away by a tradie with a piece of wood before police swooped in on the man behind Smith House.

Police negotiators managed to speak to the man who had to be subdued with  OC (oleoresin capsicum) spray.

He was arrested and taken to Armidale Police Station where he was checked over by paramedics.

Inspector Roger Best of the New England Local Area Command said the man was assisting police with their inquiries.