A police officer has described the terrifying moment she tackled a man who was armed with two swords after he threatened to kill his wife.

Norwich Evening News: PC Frances PetersPC Frances Peters (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

PC Frances Peters was the first officer called to on scene at a property in Great Ellingham, near Attleborough, after police received a call that his wife was in danger.

The officer, a dog handler based at Wymondham, did not have time to get her police dog, Billy, before she was confronted by the man who was armed with a Japanese samurai sword in one hand and a Katana sword in the other.

She said: 'When he turned around and had two swords in his hands it was one of those moments when you think this might not go very well.

'At that point I didn't know what had happened.

'I knew he was armed so was thinking he might've been telling the truth that he wanted to kill his wife or he had.

'He wouldn't put his swords down so I used my pava spray and that had an effect as he let go or dropped his swords.'

The officer then seized her moment and bravely moved in to get the attacker handcuffed on the floor before he could use the weapons.

She said: 'I didn't want him to be able to get hold of his swords again.'

PC Peters detained the man without any injury to herself and also prevented any harm to the offender's wife and children, who were upstairs in the cottage.

Her actions following the incident, which happened at about 11pm on May 23 2017, have seen her nominated for an award at this year's Police Federation Bravery awards which take place on July 12.

PC Peters, who has served with Norfolk Constabulary for almost 20 years, was delighted to be nominated for the award but insisted it was an indication of what all officers had to face.

She said: 'It's an honour to be nominated for this awards but its also a reflection of what all police officers do every day.'

The awards, now in its 23rd year, honours some of the finest officers in England and Wales who have performed incredible acts of bravery, while on or off duty.

• Also nominated for an award at this year's event is Suffolk officer PC Stephen Vaughan, a dog handler, who rescued a suicidal woman from the sea off the coast of Lowestoft on New Year's Eve.