KEY POINTS:
North Shore police did not need their handcuffs when they arrived at the scene of an assault at the weekend - members of the public had already bound the teen with twine.
Police were called to the Northcote Town Centre about 8pm on Saturday after reports that a group of drunk youths were attacking a man in his 30s.
But before they could arrive a 56-year-old member of the public went to the victim's aid.
He initially tried to protect the victim, who was being pushed and punched for no reason.
He then tried to reason with the youths.
When that failed he tackled the main offender and sat on him while another member of the public fetched twine from a nearby restaurant.
The good Samaritans tied the teen up with the twine and guarded him until the police arrived. The other youths ran off. Inspector Les Paterson said while police did not normally encourage bystanders to risk their own safety, the man's actions deserved praise.
"It was clear that the good Samaritan involved in this incident made a careful assessment and he is to be applauded for his courage."
The victim is recovering at home from bruising.
* A 14-year-old has been referred to the Youth Aid section while police hunt for the other teenagers involved.
