A 29-year-old man is accused of breaching a family violence order, forcing entry to a Palmerston home and attempting to kidnap his daughter.

Police allege the man breached a family violence order by forcing entry to the home on Saturday morning.

He allegedly assaulted his child’s grandmother before taking his daughter from the premises.

Police say the man then re-entered the home, armed himself with a pair of scissors and attempted to take the grandmother’s car keys before further assaulting her and trying to break into her vehicle.

Members of the public intervened and freed the child. The man allegedly fled through nearby backyards before he was arrested a short time later.

Police will allege the man was also the subject of an active arrest warrant for failing to appear in court on unrelated matters.

He has been charged with attempted kidnapping, aggravated burglary, possessing an offensive weapon with intent, assault, attempting to drive a motor vehicle without consent, theft, trespass and contravening a family violence order.