NT Police crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Wadeye

Rocks were allegedly thrown at police officers during a heated arrest as community unrest takes over a Top End community.

ROCKS were allegedly thrown at police officers during a heated arrest as community unrest takes over a Top End community.

NT Police have alleged two officers were attacked in Wadeye on Thursday while on duty.

Police said the pair were arresting a 26-year-old around 11.50am, who was allegedly involved in several offences relating to recent community unrest.

During the arrest, the male resisted police before a group of males approached, trying to assist the male to escape and throwing rocks at the officers,” Assistant Commissioner Martin Dole said.

The 26-year-old escaped the police and remains at large.

Mr Dole said both officers suffered minor facial injuries during the alleged incident.

“It’s simply not acceptable,” he said.

“Police are responding to a call for assistance, where a member of the community has actively chosen to act in such a behaviour that contributes to community unrest.

“Officers do not deserve to be assaulted for upholding the law.”

The alleged assault comes as police crack down on anti-social behaviour in Wadeye.

Acting Superintendent Bradley Fox confirmed additional resources were sent to the community “to restore calm”.

Supt. Fox said local police had made 18 arrests for anti-social behaviour over the past two weeks.

“Local police continue to engage with traditional owners and elders working towards resolving tensions in community,” he said.

‘Chaos’: Maintenance leaves Darwin airport with no power

DARWIN airport has been plunged into darkness after the power went out in what a spokeswoman says is “scheduled maintenance work”.

But travellers say it has been bedlam on Friday morning, with some passengers almost missing flights.

“We almost missed our flight because the gate changed but they couldn’t change the board because of the power so we were getting called over the PA,” one traveller said.

“It’s a bit of chaos.

The traveller said they were at the Air North gate and the power was okay but when their partner went upstairs to get coffee “it was all still in darkness”.

“(She) thought it was hilarious, I was horrified,” they said.

But an Airport Development Group spokeswoman said the airport had worked with airline partners to find a time that would “have the least impact and its for a shortest period of time possible”.

“This has been well planned to ensure the least amount of impact on passengers and our airline partners,” she said.

“There is only one area of the airport that is impacted by this maintenance and a number of the retail outlets have continued to be operational.

“Obviously with the busy period that we are coming into, we are asking people to please be prepared and to be patient.

“There are a number of new systems in place because of Covid that are taking additional time so please arrive at the airport well before the scheduled departure time, to ensure people can go through security and the check-in processes and are ready to board the aircraft so it can leave on time.

“Going through Covid the passenger numbers through the airport have been up to 95 per cent lower over the last two years than they have been, the good news is we are seeing passenger numbers starting to return to the 2019 level.

“What this means is the airport is going to be busy which is great news but we are just asking people to be aware that it could take extra time to go through the airport.

“The security system could take a bit longer because there are new systems these days.”

Bees Creek house fire under investigation

A BEES CREEK fire which was quickly brought under control and distinguished by fireys on Thursday afternoon, is being treated as suspicious.

NT Fire and Rescue Service and NT Police were called to the blazing home in Bees Creek about 4pm on Thursday.

A police report said fireys conducted a search of the dwelling and “fortunately” there were no injuries with everyone accounted for.

Police arrested a man on the scene and he has been conveyed to Palmerston Watch House for interview.

Northern Watch Commander David Allan said a person remains in custody, assisting with inquiries.

“The crime scene is still in effect and probably will be until later on this morning,” Cmmr Allan said.

The dwelling was destroyed – the incident is being treated as suspicious.

Woman wraps car around light pole

A CENTRAL Australian woman has had a lucky escape from death after she “wrapped” her car around a light pole in a single vehicle crash on Wednesday night.

Southern Watch Commander Vicki Koum said the woman sustained minor injuries and will face charges.

Police believe the woman lost control of her car while navigating a left turn on Ulpaya Rd in the Alice Springs suburb of Stuart.

“She lost control and the rear passenger door collided with a light pole and the vehicle then wrapped itself around the light pole,” Cmmr Koum said.

“She was taken up to a hospital for treatment, there’s no life threatening injuries reported.

“She will be charged with traffic offences including; driving a motor vehicle while disqualified and driving unregistered and uninsured – she’s very lucky the injuries weren’t more serious.”

The incident remains under investigation.

Also overnight, Alice Springs police located a stolen Nissan X-Trail which was being driven around the CBD by a 17-year-old with a 15-year-old passenger.

Cmmr Koum said police later then stumbled upon it stationary with occupants inside the car.

She said the 15-year-old passenger was arrested immediately and taken to custody but the driver fled the scene and was later located by police lying down in nearby scrub.

“(The 17-year-old) will be later charged with related offences including unlawful use of the motor vehicle,” Cmmr Koum said.

Teenage hoons

TWO teenagers are accused of hooning through Alice Springs in an emergency vehicle with the lights and sirens blaring.

Southern Watch Commander Rob Engels said two 15-year-old boys had been taken into custody in relation to a break and enter at the NT Emergency Services compound, on Wilkinson St, Ciccone.

Mr Engles said the pair allegedly broke in around 2am and ransacked the offices, before driving off in a first responder vehicle.

He alleged they rammed the front gates as they drove off.

Mr Engels said police were able to pursue the stolen vehicle for a short time before finding it abandoned at East Side. The two boys were arrested soon after.

“Obviously it’s significantly damaged by ramming the gates on the way out,” he said.

Mr Engles said there was not yet an estimate on the cost of the destruction, with both the gate and vehicle damaged.

“Even emergency services aren’t immune to being targeted,” he said.

“It’s just frustrating that an organisation that provides life saving roles now has their workplace and potentially tools and equipment put out of action.”

Two NT Police officers allegedly assaulted by 16-year-old

A POLICE officer has had a clump of hair allegedly ripped from her head by a teenager following an incident in Alice Springs.

An NT Police statement said on Monday before 7am, two officers were arresting a 19-year-old man at a home in South Terrace. He was wanted in relation to an unlawful entry.

It’s alleged a 16-year-old girl inside the property tried to intervene and assaulted the two officers.

Police allege she pushed one officer to the ground before physically assaulting the other, ripping a clump of hair from her head.

The 16-year-old was taken to the Alice Springs Watch House.

She will dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.

It comes after five police officers in Alice Springs were allegedly assaulted by an 18-year-old at the weekend.

Assistant Commissioner Martin Dole said the incident was disappointing.

“This behaviour towards police is simply not acceptable and will not be tolerated,” he said. “Our members are not punching bags.”

Originally published as NT Police crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Wadeye