Fifty arrested by ‘successful’ Alice Springs Fugitive Taskforce, 600+ community inquiries made

A ‘successful’ Red Centre taskforce will soon be redeployed across the Territory in a bid to crack down on ‘high harm’ fugitives. Find out more.

Fifty fugitives have been arrested in Alice Springs since the Fugitive Taskforce was established earlier this month.

In a video uploaded to Facebook on Tuesday morning, NT Police acting commander Drew Slape provided an update on the operation.

The taskforce, headed by 17 Alice Springs detectives, was established on December 12, targeting outstanding high harm offenders for breaches of parole, suspended sentences, warrants and other offences.

Already the taskforce had made more than 600 individual inquiries in the Alice Springs community which resulted in the location, apprehension and arrest of 50 fugitives, Mr Slape said.

NT Police acting commander Drew Slape provides an update on Fugitive Taskforce in Alice Springs. Picture: Supplied/Facebook

“The Northern Territory Police Force is committed to apprehending all outstanding fugitives and we thank the members of the public in Alice Springs for their assistance as the taskforce has gone about their duties,” he said.

“I’d also like to extend my appreciation to all the police in Alice Springs and across the Northern Territory who will be working hard to keep everyone safe over this festive period.

“The taskforce has been so successful that it will be redeployed to other locations throughout the Northern Territory in the coming months.”

The 50 arrests as a result of the Fugitive Taskforce were additional to the 160 arrests that have been made by Operation Ludlow members in Alice Springs, Mr Slape said.

Operation Ludlow, established on November 14, has been assisting the Alice Springs community in tackling rising crime and anti-social behaviour.