Alice Springs residents caught up in violence plead for something to change
Fed up Alice Springs residents have taken to social and mainstream media to plead for relief from crime. Read what they said.
Northern Territory
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An Alice Springs resident has taken to social media to appeal directly to teenagers attempting to break into a Braitling home.
The resident, who said they lived around the Lackman Terrace/Dixon Road area, posted at about 2.30am on the Actionforalice2020 Facebook page that children were attempting to break into their home.
“Two young kids were trying to open and break all of our windows around the house,” the unidentified resident wrote.
“Lucky our camera notifications woke me and my partner up, had a look and turn on the sirens and they both ran off like little scared kids. Couldn’t be any older then 14.
“I have a young child and the thought of them breaking into my safe place, my home, sneaking around ransacking the place and into my child’s room and terrifying him and us.
“All for what? To steal something that we’ve worked hard for? To have half-hour of fame to drive around and put innocent people in danger?
“Go home and go to sleep like a normal kid does. I’ve been that scared since they’ve been here that I haven’t gone back to sleep. Well done kids for invading my safe space and for making another family feel unsafe.”
The heartfelt post followed an emotional plea on Katie Woolf’s 360 program on Mix FM after an Alice Springs resident made contact to describe an incident the previous day.
She told the broadcaster a group of youths followed her car and pegged rocks at it while her young children were inside at about midnight on Wednesday, leaving them absolutely terrified.
She said the youths were known to police but were still out on the streets terrorising the community for the third night in a row.
“Last night they tried to come into the house and there were two adults inside with about seven little kids,” she said.
“When they left I piled the kids into the car in an attempt to remove ourselves from the situation and they blocked us off on the road.
“I turned into some flats to get away from them and they’ve rocked the back of my window chipping the back of the car.
“I had the kids screaming and terrified. The oldest kid was about nine but you can imagine one person trying to calm the kids down.”
The woman said she and the children were eventually assisted by a neighbour and waited two hours for police to arrive.
NT Police has been contacted for comment.
‘Repeat of last summer’: Spate of crime hits Alice Springs
An Alice Springs politician fears a “repeat of last summer” has arrived in his hometown after a recent spate of crime.
Police are investigating an Araluen home invasion in which a young girl had a knife pulled on her before 8pm, as well as the theft and reckless driving of at least eight stolen cars since Saturday.
Namatjira MLA Bill Yan said the same levels of crime that drew national attention earlier this year were becoming a “reality”.
“Last Christmas when our town was decimated after Labor’s failure on alcohol we were promised the world, even had the fly in fly out PM arrive with a cheque,” he said.
“Yet for us on the ground nothing has changed.”
Territory police are calling for information on the aggravated burglary, which occurred about 7.45pm Wednesday night at a Nelson Terrace home in Araluen.
It is alleged three men, one armed with a knife, unlawfully entered the home and threatened a girl, the only occupant inside.
The trio demanded money before leaving with items from the residence, fleeing on foot towards Zeil Street.
“When a young woman is threatened at knifepoint in her home before 8pm of an evening, and our police are having rocks thrown at them retrieving stolen vehicles, the time for rhetoric has well and truly passed,” Mr Yan said.
“The CLP want to see police supported and empowered, more boots on the ground and mandatory alcohol rehabilitation to tackle our immediate issues.”
Police Minister Brent Potter said on Mix 104.9 the solutions to Alice Springs issues do not lie solely with police.
“I know we’re working on more activities in communities, for those who do come into town,” he said on Thursday.
“There will be an increased policing presence (over summer), absolutely.
“We’ll have more to say on that – I’m in Alice Springs next week.”
A Central Australian Aboriginal Congress report tabled in October showed some crime statistics were down since the introduction of takeaway alcohol restrictions and bans in town camps and communities.
Compared to the same period last year, domestic violence assaults were down 5 per cent and property offences down 17 per cent from February to August.
However a wider range of police statistics show sexual assaults were up 31 per cent in the year leading up to the end of August compared to the same period in 2021-22, and commercial break-ins were up 10 per cent.
All assaults, including domestic violence-related and alcohol-related were up between 17 and 21 per cent.
Car thefts were the only crime category to record a noticeable decrease at 28 per cent.
Teen to appear in court after Alice vehicle theft
At least eight cars have been stolen in six days in Alice Springs, with several teens arrested in relation to alleged thefts.
Officers from police unit Strike Force Viper on Wednesday arrested a youth after the theft of a motor vehicle from an Alice Springs home on Tuesday morning.
It comes after the arrest of four teenage boys earlier in the week.
The vehicle was stolen after an unlawful entry at the Stuart property at about 2.05am Tuesday and was allegedly used by teens to hoon around the town.
The vehicle was recovered Wednesday behind the Ilperle Tyathe town camp and a 16-year-old youth was charged with two counts of theft, two counts of aggravated burglary and one count of damage to property.
He was remanded to appear in Alice Springs Youth Justice Court on Thursday.
Police are investigating whether there was a link with Tuesday’s incident in Stuart and the theft of a Mazda 3 from a property in Lovegrove Drive, Araluen on Wednesday.
Vision filmed by a motorist at about 11.10pm on Wednesday and posted on the Action for Alice Facebook page showed the vehicle being driven erratically through the town with youths hanging out the window.
The Mazda was later found abandoned on the corner of Ellery and Lyndvale drives.
Three vehicles, including the Mazda 3 were seen driving around town as well as a Ford Everest that had been stolen the previous evening.
Watch Commander Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew Dunne said compared to the previous two nights, Wednesday was relatively calm.
Nov 9: Stolen cars ‘target’ Alice Springs police
Alice Springs police have again been targeted by stolen cars driven dangerously around the town, with at least six vehicles stolen in five days.
Three Ford vehicles — a Wildtrak, Everest and Ranger — were seen driving in a convoy and trying to target police vehicles while passengers threw items at officers, police say.
The Wildtrak was allegedly stolen from a Larapinta address on Saturday night while the other two vehicles were stolen from homes in Kilgariff and Stuart after 4am Wednesday morning.
It comes after two Jeeps and a Mazda were allegedly stolen from Alice Springs homes earlier in the week.
Road spikes were able to stop the Ford Wildtrak on Wednesday morning, although the alleged offenders in the vehicle are outstanding.
The Ford Everest and Ford Ranger also remain outstanding.
Detective Senior Sergeant Robert Kent said police had arrested four male youths aged 14, 15, 16 and 19 since Monday night.
“(They) are believed to be involved in a series of burglary, theft and dangerous driving offences,” he said.
“Multiple further offenders have been identified and investigations remain ongoing.
“Once again, police have also been targeted by dangerous actions during these offences.
“The last few nights we have seen numerous reckless driving from stolen motor vehicles.
“Detectives are continuing to investigate this matter, with forensics being conducted on the recovered vehicle to identify the offenders involved.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444. You can also make an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Nov 8: Rocks thrown at cops after three cars stolen, police allege
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested after police allege rocks were thrown from three stolen cars in Alice Springs.
A blue Mazda CX-5 was allegedly stolen from a Braitling home on Sunday night, and a black Jeep Grand Cherokee was allegedly stolen from the Alice Springs CBD some time on Monday.
Police alleged both of the cars were seen being driven dangerously with occupants throwing rocks at officers throughout Monday night.
Late on Monday a white Jeep Patriot was also reported stolen, with reports the people in the car were throwing rocks at members of the public in Desert Springs.
All three cars were then allegedly used to attempt to ram police vehicles and in the CBD, and more rocks were thrown.
The three cars were found abandoned early Tuesday morning.
A 14-year-old boy was arrested in relation to the offending and was expected to be charged later on Tuesday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Robert Kent said investigations were ongoing.
“Last night we saw repeated dangerous behaviour that was targeted at police and some members of the public,” he said.
“Forensics is currently being conducted on the stolen vehicles as detectives continue their work to identify everyone involved.
“Police are urging residents to review their CCTV, particularly in Desert Springs and Braitling, for footage of the stolen Mazda and both Jeeps.”
Nov 7: Booze and drugs allegedly headed for dry communities seized
Northern Territory Police have seized a large quantity of alcohol allegedly destined for remote Aboriginal communities south of Alice Springs.
A 36-year-old was stopped for a random breath test on Friday at the Stuart Hwy near Kulgera when police saw a large amount of alcohol in the car.
About 100 litres of alcohol was found, including 15 goon sacks, seven bottles of spirits and a carton of pre-mixed drinks.
A package containing more than 500g of cannabis was also seized.
The driver was arrested and charged with a number of traffic and drug offences, and was bailed to appear at the Alice Springs Local Court next year.
Superintendent Drew Slape said the supply and sale of alcohol and illicit drugs in remote communities was an “abhorrent” crime that “preys on the vulnerable”.
“As we continue to see over and over, the abuse of alcohol leads to large-scale harm and ongoing disadvantage,” he said.
“This seizure places a dent in the supply of alcohol and drugs to remote communities and police will continue to target the corridors used to bring illicit drugs and alcohol bound for secondary supply into the Territory.
“We warn all those who think this is a lucrative market that we are watching and will come for you, you never know when we will be on the roads.”
Nov 7: Gun stolen in Tennant Creek
Northern Territory Police are calling for witnesses after a firearm was stolen overnight in Tennant Creek.
Between 8.30pm and 1.30am, a firearm similar to the one pictured was taken from a car at a carpark near the intersection of Standley St and Paterson St.
Detectives from Tennant Creek Criminal Investigation Branch are urging anyone who may have information to make contact on 131 444, quoting reference number 10506918.
Nov 6: Fire ban in place as Central Australian blazes threaten communities
Multiple fires are threatening property and residents’ health in Central Australia.
A number of bushfires were at ‘advice’ level on Monday, including one burning in the Tanami Fire Complex and three on the outskirts of Alice Springs.
The fires had closed roads in the regions, including ones to Corroboree Rock, Telegraph Station, Ormiston Gorge and Rainbow Valley Access, according to Road Report NT.
A statement from NT Fire and Rescue Service said the fires would be tackled from the air around Alice Springs.
“Firefighting aircraft will be operating around the Alice Springs area and the public are reminded to not deploy drones around Alice Springs,” it said.
“For the safety of firefighting crews and other vehicles, drivers in the area are urged to slow down, turn on headlights and drive safely for the conditions.”
A health alert was issued for the region as residents woke to hazy and smoky conditions.
“Alice Springs and surrounding communities are currently experiencing smoky conditions that may be a risk to people with respiratory ailments,” a statement from NT Health said.
“When the air quality drops to ‘poor’ or below, we encourage people with respiratory conditions or illnesses to avoid physical outdoor activity, stay indoors, with windows and doors closed where possible, if using your airconditioner, set it to recirculate, follow your asthma action plan and seek immediate medical advice or care if needed and call triple-0 in an emergency.”
The Barkly North region including the Elliot Emergency Response Area was under a fire ban for Sunday and Monday.
The Bureau of Meteorology said extreme fire danger was forecast for the district.
“Hot and dry conditions with fresh and gusty east to south-easterly winds will bring elevated fire conditions,” it said.
In August Bushfires NT chief fire control officer Tony Fuller said authorities were expecting a “decadal event” in terms of the fire season in Central Australia.
Nov 6: Second alleged flashing reported in Alice Springs this week
Northern Territory Police are seeking information after a second alleged flashing in Alice Springs in one week.
Just before 7am Sunday a man allegedly indecently exposed himself to a woman who was going for a run on Larapinta Dr near Taylor St, Larapinta.
The woman ran around the man and reported the incident to police.
Investigators believe a man wearing dark clothes and a cap captured on CCTV footage can assist with their inquiries, and anyone with information or who may know the man is urged to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference number 10505495.
It comes just days after a separate incident in which a woman was allegedly grabbed and flashed by a man at East Side on Thursday.
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