‘Major disturbance’ in Borroloola prompts police to send in reinforcements
UPDATED: The family of a 10-year-old boy who will be laid to rest today has called for calm in the town of Borroloola as police hold a community meeting over the recent rioting
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UPDATED: The family of a 10-year-old boy who will be laid to rest today has called for calm in the town of Borroloola.
They asked residents to “remember the goodness of this little boy and the love he shared so openly and warmly towards others”.
“Please respect our families and walk with us together in strength and peace,” they said.
One local, who asked not to be named, said the town was in lockdown.
He said local police had been overwhelmed by the outbreak of seemingly indiscriminate armed violence.
Violent rioting broke out late on Wednesday evening.
Locals said the clash was a reprisal attack in response to the alleged murder of a teenager in late December.
The 19-year-old, who died a few days after he was assaulted just before Christmas, will be buried shortly.
Two other funerals have also been held recently.
Another resident, who also asked not to be named, said tensions had escalated with the influx of people to the town for the four funerals.
@ntpfes are holding a community meeting in #Borroloola at 2pm today due to recent unrest. All residents encouraged to attend. pic.twitter.com/SF9wE0Axb1
— malarndirri mccarthy (@Malarndirri19) March 8, 2019
A meeting will be held today at 2pm at the Malandari Store to address the unrest and rioting.
Police have sent out a notice inviting all community members to attend the meeting.
A police spokeswoman said the Tactical Response Group were still in the township.
The spokeswoman said the situation had remained calm overnight and police received no further calls for assistance from residents overnight.
UPDATED: Alcohol has been cut off and heavily armed police were on Thursday night preparing to quell an anticipated violent flare-up in the remote town of Borroloola.
Violent rioting broke out late on Wednesday evening.
Locals said the clash was a reprisal attack in response to the alleged murder of a teenager in late December.
The 19-year-old, who died a few days after he was assaulted just before Christmas, will be buried shortly.
Two other funerals have been held recently, with a fourth due to take place soon.
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When police responded, they were confronted by a “large-scale disturbance” led by people armed with steel bars, rocks and bricks.
Police from the Tactical Response Group were flown in on Thursday morning.
Four demountable public housing units were substantially damaged in the riot.
Police said that one man had been treated for head injuries and a number of other people had received minor injuries which didn’t need treatment.
No arrests had been made by Thursday night.
Voluntary alcohol restrictions are in place.
The family of a 10-year-old boy who will be laid to rest on Friday called for calm in the town.
They asked residents to “remember the goodness of this little boy and the love he shared so openly and warmly towards others”.
“Please respect our families and walk with us together in strength and peace,” they said.
One local, who asked not to be named, said the town was in lockdown.
He said local police had been overwhelmed by the outbreak of seemingly indiscriminate armed violence.
Another resident, who also asked not to be named, said tensions had escalated with the influx of people to the town for the four funerals.
EARLIER: Heavily-armed police have been flown in to Borroloola overnight amid reports of widespread violence which locals say is a reprisal attack over the recent death of a man.
Police said they were investigating the incident in Borroloola in which houses and vehicles were damaged overnight, including two police vehicles.
“Police received multiple calls just after 10.30pm last night of a fight in progress,” police said in a statement.
“On arrival police observed a large scale disturbance with numerous people armed with steel bars, rocks and bricks.
“Two police vehicles received damage to windscreens and possible minor panel damage due to rocks being thrown.
“Additional resources arrived in the community this morning to assist with the follow up inquiries.”
A local, who asked not to be named, said the town was in lock down.
He said local police had been overwhelmed by the outbreak of seemingly indiscriminate armed violence, and had called for reinforcements overnight.
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The damage was substantially to government funded housing.
Another resident, who also asked not to be named, said tensions had escalated since a boy’s funeral last Saturday.
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The funeral brought additional family members to town, inflaming the situation until tensions boiled over on Wednesday nights, the resident said.
Residents have been warned by the warring families that it is likely another fight will take place tonight.
The NT Education Department said the school was open and children were safe.
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