Auckland woman Lucy Knight has been recognised with a police bravery award for intervening in a violent attack, which left her with a head injury.

The Police North Shore Area Awards were held today and recognised Ms Knight's bravery during the incident in September last year.

17-year-old Hendrix Hauwai was sentenced to four years in prison for punching Ms Knight in the back of the head after she intervened as a man snatched a woman's bag outside a Northcote supermarket.

Senior Sergeant Andrew Murdoch says the award recognises Ms Knight's "selfless bravery in going to the aid of a stranger being attacked."