Barkly Mayor Sid Vashist says crime situation ‘dire’, kids in Tennant Creek ‘clearly armed’ with knives
Crime in Tennant Creek is at ‘dire’ levels – with ‘clear signs’ kids are armed with knives – the local Mayor says, but the government says the latest statistics paint a different picture. Find out more.
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A local mayor’s plea to meet with the Chief Minister come as he says there are “clear signs” there are kids armed with knives in Tennant Creek – where crime is at “dire” levels – but a government spokesperson says the latest statistics paint a different picture.
Barkly Regional Council Mayor Sid Vashist said the council is running up “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in costs repairing ongoing vandalism at the library, sporting facilities, and more.
“It’s call-out after call-out, pulling Barkly Regional Council resources away from their core work,” he said.
Trying to secure a meeting with Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has been met with “deafening” silence, Mr Vashist said, as there are now “clear signs” kids are armed with knives and more.
“Our brand-new netball and basketball courts at Purkiss Reserve already have holes in nearly every fence and gate — new damage appearing daily,” he said.
“That doesn’t happen without sharp tools like knives or scissors being more accessible to young people.
“It’s a worrying trend, and it speaks to a much larger issue of safety, supervision, and access to recreational activities.”
He said Ms Finocchiaro’s “tough on crime” approach “hasn’t worked to date” – but a CLP Government spokesperson said the latest crime stats paint a different picture.
“The latest crime statistics for January and February 2025 show a positive reduction across key areas, including house break-ins and total property offences,” she said.
“As a government, we are committed to doing whatever it takes to restore community safety.”
The spokesperson said the Barkly Regional Coordination Committee is “taking strong, co-ordinated action to drive down crime in Tennant Creek and the broader Barkly region”.
“The Barkly Regional Coordination Committee continues to update and strengthen the Crime Reduction Strategy, working closely with all stakeholders and the community to ensure ongoing accountability, co-ordination, and results,” they said.
“The Barkly Regional Council Mayor has been offered regular briefings to stay updated and raise any local concerns directly.”
Other positive steps the government was taking included Barkly MLA Steve Edgington frequently meeting with Tennant Creek police superintendent Katie Hatzismalis, according to the spokesperson.
Mr Edgington has also “offered to meet regularly with Barkly Regional Council to ensure strong two-way communication on local issues,” the spokesperson said.
But Mr Vashist said he’s “yet to hear” from Ms Finocchiaro, questioning if it will take another tragedy to get her response.
“I remain contactable, and she has my details. The invitation to come and meet with our elected members remains open,” he said.
NT parliament has passed new laws that make the NT bail laws the “toughest” in the country”.
The spokesperson added “to support this, it is incumbent on every Territorian to also take responsibility for their own actions”.
The proposed amendments come after 71-year-old Nightcliff grocer Linford Feick was allegedly murdered, with an 18-year-old who was out on bail accused of the crime.
Originally published as Barkly Mayor Sid Vashist says crime situation ‘dire’, kids in Tennant Creek ‘clearly armed’ with knives
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