Terrifying axe attack by man on bail

Shocked witnesses have filmed the moment a man allegedly went on a terrifying axe rampage at an apartment in Perth’s northeast.

The alleged attacker was on bail when he smashed his way through the front door of a Maylands’ unit yesterday afternoon.

Residents at the complex were startled when they heard what they believed were gunshots coming from the upstairs property.

However, it was a man in the top-level corridor, relentlessly hammering a large axe into the front door of one of the homes.

It took the man 10 minutes to break through the door, also smashing a window in the process.

Neighbours looked on as the man appeared calm as the terrifying scene unfolded.

"He was looking at me recording him. He didn’t approach, he didn’t say anything to me,” witness Rhys told 9NEWS.

The attacker then allegedly entered the unit and swung the axe at an occupant’s head, narrowly missing him.

Police arrived a short time later with a tactical operations unit to negotiate with him, before arresting him two hours after the incident began.

The accused was already on bail for alleged threatening behaviour towards the same victims, despite knowing not to go near them.

“Dangerous criminals shouldn’t be allowed out on bail,” opposition police spokesman Peter Katsambanis said.

The man appeared in court today and was refused bail.