Rocks allegedly thrown at cops as they try to break up ‘violent disturbance’ in Alice Springs town camp

NT Police are searching for a man who allegedly set his dogs on a cop, who was responding to a ‘violent disturbance’ in the Red Centre capital – where rocks were allegedly pelted at officers.

Alice Springs Hidden Valley town camp, Friday, February 3, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Police officers in Alice Springs have allegedly been pelted with rocks while responding to a “violent disturbance” in the town – which they say involved up to 50 people.

In a statement, police said they responded to a “violent disturbance” in Sadadeen, suburban Alice Springs, just after 12pm on Thursday.

On Friday morning, NT Police Southern Commander James Gray-Spence said the disturbance happened at Hidden Valley town camp.

Northern Territory Police southern commander James Gray-Spence out the front of Alice Springs police station on December 31, 2024. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Talking on ABC radio, he said the disturbance involved up to 50 people, and when police arrived they allegedly armed themselves with weapons and threw rocks at police.

One attending officer had a stick thrown at them, which hit their arm, he said.

A female officer in attendance had a broom thrown at her, he said.

“Another person picked up a rock and threatened the life of our K9 dog handler and was going to attempt to throw it,” he said.

No police were injured, the statement said, with officers on the scene using OC spray to disperse the group.

One woman was taken to Alice Springs Hospital to get treatment for her injuries.

Northern Territory police in Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Five arrests were made, one being a 56-year-old woman, the other four being men aged 18, 25, 43, and 39, Mr Gray-Spence said.

He also further alleged another man at the scene attempted to set his dogs on one of the attending officers.

The 50-year-old remains outstanding, Mr Gray-Spence said, while the five arrested were due to be charged.

In April last year, violence at the Hidden Valley town camp and out the front of the Todd Tavern sent Alice Springs into the first of two curfews for the town in 2024.

But Mr Gray-Spence said Thursday’s violence “appears to be a completely isolated incident”, with early investigations indicating alcohol was a contributing factor.

“This just seems to be an assault that police attended to and were dealing with when these other 30 to 50 people became involved with their inexcusable behaviour of, you know, trying to confront the police and then they were further dealt with,” he said.

Investigations into the incident are continuing and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference P25090654 in relation to the incident.

Anonymous reports can also be made online through Crime Stoppers or on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Rocks allegedly thrown at cops as they try to break up ‘violent disturbance’ in Alice Springs town camp