The policeman who confronted the man who beheaded a grandmother to death in her garden said he risked his life because he knew others were in “mortal danger”.

Enfield Inspector Doug Skinner found himself face to face with Nicholas Salvador just moments after he brutally murdered Palmira Silva, 82, in Nightingale Road, Enfield, last September.

SEE ALSO: SCIZOPHRENIC WHO BEHEADED GRANDMOTHER PALMIRA SILVA NOT GUILTY OF MURDER

Mr Skinner and his colleagues smashed through the double glazing windows and called out to residents, before seeing Salvador stripped to the waist and standing in someone’s front room.

He then tried to speak to Salvadore, who was armed with a blood-stained machete and made stabbing motions towards him.

Mr Skinner said: “Nothing can fully prepare you for that type of call or the scene we encountered.

“I immediately requested an unmarked car to move in close and track his movements. We decided we would have to remove residents before Salvador killed someone else.

"The helicopter constantly tracked Salvador jumping fences and they’d also spotted children playing in nearby gardens.

"We genuinely thought he would kill those children and we were filled with utter terror.

“All units acted with extreme courage. Armed officers, unarmed officers and rookies - all working together, putting their own lives at risk to save others.”

Whilst guided by an overhead police helicopter, officers attempted to distract Salvador while trying to reach terrified local residents. Several, including young children, had to be pulled through smashed windows to get them away from the scene.

After a lengthy struggle, officers eventually contained Salvador in an empty property before he was Tasered and bought out into the street on a stretcher.

Several police were injured during the incident including a firearms officer who received treatment for a large bite to his lower leg while another sustained a broken wrist.

Police Commander Simon Letchford: said: “This was a horrendous and vicious attack which robbed a family of a much-loved vibrant mother and grandmother.”