Efficacy of Alice Springs curfew still unknown as Chief Minister flags possible extension through school holidays

Dozens of young people have been found breaching the emergency curfew, but data on whether the measures are working to bring down crime is not yet available, the Chief Minister has said.

Fifty-seven young people were found violating the Alice Springs curfew on Sunday night, but data on whether the measures are working to bring down crime is not yet available, the Chief Minister says.

Eva Lawler said none of the young people discovered in the curfew zone had been taken to alternative accommodation, but that some of their families had asked for help when Territory Families checked in at a later time.

“They have been on average around 20 to 25 a night who have been picked up in the curfew area,” she said.

“Some of those were from out of town and weren’t necessarily aware of the curfew, but they have gone back to family, gone back to their homes.

“There are families who are saying that they do need support around some of their wayward children, but none have been taken to Saltbush (supported accommodation).”

Police patrols at the front of Lasseters Hotel Casino in Alice Springs. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ms Lawler said Police Commissioner Michael Murphy would return to Alice Springs this week to collect clear data on the efficacy of the curfew, but “anecdotally” the town had been “much more quiet” since its implementation on Wednesday.

The Chief once again would not rule out an extension of the curfew, but said a decision around that would likely not come until towards the end of the 14-day period.

At this stage the curfew is due to end on April 10, in the middle of the school holidays.

“One of the first steps is to look at possibly extending it for those days over the school holidays,” she said.

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy and Chief Minister Eva Lawler. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ms Lawler dismissed possible legal challenges being launched against the curfew, saying she was confident the emergency measures were backed by the law.

“Bring it on, I’m more than happy to have a legal challenge around that,” she said.

“While people are talking about those legal challenges, I know on the ground the people in Alice Springs (are) absolutely overjoyed – the vast majority of people are overjoyed – to have a pressure release (thanks to) the curfew.”

An extra 25 police officers and 33 PALIs were redeployed to Alice Springs last week, with a heavy police presence felt in the town over the Easter weekend – something the people of Alice Springs “deserve and expect”, Ms Lawler said.

“We will have additional police, we’ve done the work through the budget process – we will see more boots on the ground, more vans on the road.

A major review into NT Police resourcing and culture has been handed to the government, with Cabinet expected to discuss the findings on Tuesday and make further announcements in the coming days.