NT Police in Alice Springs attend numerous incidents in a week after extra police officers arrive

Police have revealed the number and severity of incidents they have dealt with in the week since an extra 40 officers were deployed in Alice Springs.

A week on from the deployment of 40 additional police officers, more than 100 individuals have been taken into protective custody and 24 arrests made.

NT Police established a new taskforce, named Operation Drina, to target the rising crime in Alice Springs.

The officers were brought into town earlier than first planned after a number of recent incidents, including the CBD being shut down due to dangerous driving.

The high-visibility presence has been concentrated in the city centre and the Gap area, where 229 litres of alcohol has been destroyed, 168 people taken into protective custody, 24 arrests made, 21 notices to appear issued, 29 traffic infringements given, 17 summary infringements and 13 bannings from the Alice Springs Liquor Act declared area since November 23.

Police patrol the Todd Mall on horseback as part of Operation Drina, targeting anti-social behaviour and associated crime in Alice Springs. Picture: Jason Walls

The arrests include a 14-year-old on Sunday for a number of property offences in Sadadeen and a 42-year-old man for traffic offences after he reversed into a police car and allegedly fled the scene while under the influence of alcohol.

Superintendent James Gray-Spence said the community support from Operation Drina had already been received.

“The increased frontline presence from Operation Drina, combined with the dedicated investigation team conducting targeted enforcement, is putting police on the front foot,” he said.

“Operation Drina has seen good teamwork with other agencies, meeting with operational representatives of the Social Order Response Team’s patroller function nightly, to share information and co-ordinate responses in Alice Springs.

Police on horses patrol the Todd Mall. Picture: Jason Walls

“The support received to-date from members of the public by stopping police as they patrol Alice Springs and thanking them for their service to the community, is fantastic motivation and is greatly appreciated.”

Community leaders, including Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson, welcomed the extra police presence.

NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker announced his intention to “flood” the CBD with police to curb offending last week.

Originally published as NT Police in Alice Springs attend numerous incidents in a week after extra police officers arrive