A BLOOD-COVERED man armed with a meat cleaver forced a street and pub to be locked down at Jandowae.

The 37-year-old man charged at police with the weapon during a two-and-a-half-hour ordeal which ended when the man was tasered and arrested on Tuesday night.

Jandowae Police officer-in-charge Mark Avent said the incident began when the man's mother phoned police for help at 7.10pm.

Sergeant Avent said the man was armed with a 25cm meat cleaver and charged at officers when they arrived.

"Police immediately drew their firearms and the defendant continued coming at police, screaming and challenging police to shoot him," Sgt Avent said.

The man began slicing himself with the meat cleaver when police demanded he drop the weapon.

He then fled through bushland. Police cordoned off the area and phoned the Toowoomba Police Dog Squad.

Sgt Avent said Queensland Ambulance Service staff called police at 8.28pm and reported that the man was standing outside their station in George St.

He was still armed with the meat cleaver, wearing only shorts, and was covered in blood.

Officers cordoned off George St and locked patrons inside The Club Hotel. A police negotiator spoke with the offender.

Ten police officers were on scene and formed a semi-circle around the man as he approached police. He screamed abuse and again challenged them to shoot him at 9.30pm.

Officers tasered the man and he was overpowered and arrested.

He was taken to the Toowoomba Hospital, where police applied for an emergency examination order.

Sgt Avent said the man was intoxicated and had taken prescription medication at the time of the offence.

He is expected to be charged with threatening violence and going armed so as to cause fear.

(SOURCE)