Up to 10 police units were called to Tennyson Street, Woodend, yesterday afternoon, where they were confronted by a 48-year-old man who they say threatened neighbours with bricks and knives.

Gisborne police were called to the normally quiet street just before 4.30pm when residents reported a man throwing bricks through a neighbour’s window.

The man was also reported to have threatened the neighbour and approached other residents in the street and nearby reserve.

Police advised residents to remain inside while the street was cordoned off.

The man then approached police officers while they interviewed the neighbour who had made the complaint.

The man threatened police with a machete before throwing the weapon at the officers as they returned to their vehicle.

Police tried to subdue the man with capsicum spray, which led to a physical confrontation, resulting in a police officer sustaining serious injuries to his hand and having to be hospitalised.

Senior Sergent Ryan Irwin, who was at the scene, said the man was apprehended by the dog squad in the front yard as he tried to go back onto the street.

“He’s actually sustained some minor injuries to his arm and has had to go to the hospital as a result,” he said.

“We will be treating the street as a crime scene and will be assessing the suspect’s physical and mental state,” Senior Sergeant Irwin said.

A Tennyson Street resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said the man had acted strangely earlier in the day.

“He was staring through the window and just acting very strangely,” she said.

“Most of the families in the street just took the kids and left as soon as they could.”

The Woodend man remains in hospital in Melbourne while his injuries are assessed. Gisborne police anticipate the man will be charged once he has been released from care.