Man charged with assault after three young children allegedly tied up in Broome driveway

A 45-year-old man has been charged with assault after he allegedly physically restrained three children under 10 in a Broome driveway.

Police were called to a Cable Beach home about 2.15pm yesterday to investigate a reported trespass incident but instead found a six-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy tied up.

They later found a third child, an eight-year-old boy, who they said had been detained but fled before police arrived.

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Paramedics were called to assess the other two, who were then reunited with their family.

Part of the incident was live-streamed to Facebook as onlookers shouted at a man to release the children, whose hands were cable-tied together.

Leandra McKenzie said a tradesman arrived at the Conkerberry Road home for a job and found the children swimming in his client's pool.

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"They were frightened, they were crying, shaking and singing out for their mum," McKenzie told 9News.

She said the incident lasted for more than an hour.

"We were yelling at him to tell them to release them, but he just wouldn't give up," she said.

Police took a 45-year-old Broome man in for questioning and later announced he had been charged with three counts of aggravated assault.

Police allege the "force used to restrain the children was not proportionate in the circumstances".

They called for calm last night amid fears tensions could boil over.

"Police continue to work closely with the affected families and acknowledge the challenging circumstances surrounding this incident," WA Police said, in a statement.

"Community members are encouraged to allow the court process to run its course."

The man was granted bail to face court at a later date.