Katherine crime: Assaults on the rise in embattled town as business owners ‘don’t feel safe anymore’

Katherine crime is out of control following the release of new crime data and a spate of violent assaults, with business owners speaking out about the toll it takes. Read the details.

Violent crime is on the rise in Katherine. Picture: Alex Treacy

A spate of very violent crimes, a rise in assaults and the removal of key town infrastructure signal Katherine crime is out of control - with one local business going as far as creating an ‘escape plan’ for staff for when trouble strikes.

Recent crime statistics reveal an increase in assaults compared to the same months in 2024, including a huge spike in property crimes in April.

Just last week police confirmed a 19-year-old woman was allegedly stabbed by a 19-year-old man she did not know and a local business was broken into three times in one night before being broken into a fourth time and staff assaulted. 

The current crime wave is so bad a “problem taxi rank” will be removed from Katherine Shopping Centre next week in a move local member Jo Hersey described as “a practical, commonsense decision that will help restore pride in our town”.

But some business owners say this just moves the problem elsewhere in town, away from Woolworths which can afford its own security guards.

Local business owner Nicole Williamson described a brazen daylight robbery and assault on her staff on the morning of July 16 as “traumatic” and senseless.

Ms Williamson said the previous night there had been multiple break-ins at the Coffee Club Katherine and three staff were present cleaning up afterwards about 7am when a separate attack occurred.

“They had made a mess in there — let off a fire extinguisher, broken fridge doors and broke the till,” she said.

Nicole Williamson is the owner of Katherine Coffee Club. Picture: Supplied

“Myself and two other staff were cleaning up when two men came in looking very agitated and aggressive.”

Ms Williamson said the two alleged offenders then assaulted herself and the other two staff before stealing stock.

One of her staff members was hospitalised from the attack.

Coffee Club Katherine was targeted multiple times with staff also assaulted between July 15 and 16. Picture: Supplied

“It happened so quickly,” Ms Williamson said.

“It was pretty traumatic.

“It was just shocking why did they do it? Who knows their motivation?”

Ms Williamson said two passers-by came to help Ms Williamson when the attackers returned, resulting in one of the rescuers being glassed in the eye and hospitalised too.

Thousands of dollars in damage was done. Picture: Supplied

NT Police later confirmed the two teens accused of involvement, aged 14 and 18, were caught, arrested and charged, appearing in Katherine Court last Friday and Monday respectively.

Police have not yet confirmed whether it would be alleged these two were part of the group who broke in to the store on the previous night.

“We don’t feel safe anymore and I don’t know what to do,” Ms Williamson said.

“We have changed our business hours, always have multiple staff rostered on, purchased personal safety alarms and create an escape plan — I just don’t know what more can be done.”

Across town at another business, Happy Corner Store owner Juana Quilloy is also upgrading her business’ safety measures.

Happy Corner was ramraided in December, 2024. Picture: Supplied

Since a ram-raid in December last year, Ms Quilloy and her husband have been sleeping in their small store every night.

“We’re still sleeping in the shop,” she told NT News.

“People say it’s not safe, but I have to protect my livelihood.

“I have paid a boilermaker to create a cage for our front door and I still have the concrete bollards out the front.

“We have also upgraded our CCTV.

“I can’t afford anymore security upgrades, I am just hanging on for law and order to be restored by our government.”

The concrete bollards still remain out the front of Ms Quilloy’s shop. Picture: Supplied

Each business owner had different opinions on how to address the recent crime wave.

“Our court system is letting us down,” Ms Williamson said.

“People are being let off, or let out on bail.

“Letting these offenders off is not helping, and now it’s escalating the problem — that’s what I feel personally.”

“Crime seems to be getting more violent with more weapons involved.

“I don’t know what the solution is.

“Now I am very weary and obviously scared — I don’t feel safe in the community and I know a lot of people feel that way.”

Ms Williamson thinks the courts should do more to hold criminals responsible. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ms Quilloy thought responsibility laid with the parents of offenders.

“It’s getting worse, there are more stolen cars, assaults and breaking into houses,” she said.

“Parents need to step up — why are kids being abandoned and left to commit crime?

The Katherine community night patrol was organised in May this year. Picture: Jo Hersey

“We should take away their welfare if they cannot control their kids.”

Both victims expressed their praise for local member Ms Hersey and said she had been very responsive.

“Local Member Jo Hersey was very supportive and was there first thing in the morning,” Ms Williamson said.

The local member said her Country Liberal government was doing what they could to keep Katherine safe.

Member for Katherine Jo Hersey said her government was addressing the crime issues. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“I acknowledge there has been some horrific incidents in Katherine recently,” Ms Hersey said.

“Our government has given police more powers through a raft of changes when we came into government ten months ago.

“We’ve also changed bail laws and tightened them up so perpetrators are not out on bail.

“One thing our community does very well is rally around each other and the police have been very quick to apprehend those people, with the two who (allegedly) broke into the Coffee Club apprehended as well as the man who (allegedly) stabbed the 19-year-old.”

Katherine mayor Lis Clark said those concerned about the impacts of crime should take advantage of services available and take steps to protect themselves and their properties.

“The people of Katherine have tried very hard to have measures in place to cope with the crime here,” Ms Clark said.

“There is the Neighbourhood Watch that can assess your property for free and give advice on what to do to mitigate break ins into a home or business.

“Never leave keys or valuables lying around. Look at getting a safe or putting them somewhere that they cannot be detected by home invaders.

“I would like to reiterate that it is not just Katherine. Crime is happening all over Australia and so wherever you are you need to take precautions for your own safety as well as keeping your home safe.”

Originally published as Katherine crime: Assaults on the rise in embattled town as business owners ‘don’t feel safe anymore’