NT Police have congratulated themselves on “a great job in investigating” an assault on a woman in Palmerston on Saturday, despite members of the public reportedly coming to the woman’s aid and restraining a male offender until police arrived.

Police said a 26-year-old woman was walking along a street in Durack at around 8am when she was approached by a man who “grabbed her bags and propositioned her”.

“She declined and was able to recover her bags,” police media manager Rob Cross said in a statement.

“The offender then allegedly tried to steal her bags again and assaulted her, knocking her to the ground before absconding.”

Despite two witnesses chasing the man down and holding him until he could be arrested, Duty Supt Mark Malogorski commended police for all their “investigating” work.

“Palmerston general duties members did a great job in investigating this matter and arresting a violent offender,” he said.

“A thank you to members of the public who assisted police in apprehending the offender.

“We advise the public to always put their personal safety first when intervening in an incident or apprehending an offender.”

Police said a 25-year-old man was charged with aggravated robbery and refused bail. He is scheduled to appear in Darwin Local Court today.