A PARKING attendant who tackled a mugger to the ground in Palmers Green has been praised for his bravery.

Ozgur Yigitoglu, 23, performed a citizen's arrest on a mugger who assaulted a man and stole an envelope stuffed with money on April 29.

He was on patrol on his motorbike in Green Lanes when he saw the assailant run past with the 50-year-old victim's cash.

Mr Yigitoglu, known as "Ozzy" to friends, chased the man to Alderman's Hill, pinned him to the ground and called for assistance.

Speaking to the Enfield Independent, he said: "I saw the two men arguing at the traffic lights, then I saw the guy knock the old man to the ground.

"The old man was face down and the robber was sitting on him, waving his arms and trying to grab the money.

"I just felt I should try to help him, so when he ran off I dropped my bike and ran after him.

"Two other guys tried to tackle him and couldn't, but they slowed him down enough so I could grab him.

"It felt good afterwards. My managers and other colleagues thanked me, though I didn't get to see the old man again."

Tim Cowen, spokesman for parking services company NSL, which employs Mr Yigitoglu, said he hoped Mr Yigitoglu's actions would improve public perception of traffic wardens.

He said: "We thought he was terrific. The truth is, parking attendants don't commonly get good press, but he went far beyond the call of duty.

"While we would never encourage our employees to intervene like that, we are incredibly proud of what he did.

"We hope people might read this and change their views of parking attendants ever so slightly.

"He's a great guy."

Gary Barnes, Enfield assistant director for environment, added: "I want to thank Ozzy for his truly heroic actions. He deserves a medal.

"Traffic wardens usually don't have a good image, but Ozzy's heroics show that they are human beings and often very brave ones too."

A 25-year-old man was charged with robbery on April 30 and remanded in custody.