Mark Turner calls for police executive to probe CBD ‘pool of blood

NT Police have finally revealed details about the mystery pool of blood found in Darwin city. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

Territory police have revealed the condition of a person connected to an unexplained pool of blood left in Darwin city.

In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, an NT Police spokesperson said they had found the person involved in an “incident” at Bennett Park that left the CBD pavement bloodied.

“Police have identified the individual believed to be involved in a recent incident at Bennett Park that fortunately resulted in no injuries,” they said.

“The individual has expressed no wish to discuss the matter further.”

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said on Wednesday police did investigate the “mystery” pool of blood which had proven to be that of a human, despite earlier reports officers did not attend the scene until after it was washed away.

It comes as an MLA and former NT police officer called on the police executive to probe the unexplained scene in Darwin city, which he said appeared to be a serious harm incident.

A huge pool of dried blood was left in Bennett Park in Darwin, between Parliament House and the Top End Tourist Information Centre, for at least 48 hours. Picture: Annabel Bowles

The blood stain is understood to have been in Bennett Park, between Parliament House and the tourist information centre, for at least 48 hours before Darwin city council contractors cleaned up the scene Monday morning.

Just hours after it was washed away an NT Police spokeswoman told this publication police had not attended the scene nor were they investigating it, however Chief Minister Natasha Fyles later said forensic evidence was collected.

“They took it before it was washed, is my understanding .. it does come from a human,” she said on Wednesday.

“I back our police, they’re incredibly hard working. It is a bit of a mystery but they certainly responded.”

When asked further about the police response, she said: “did police investigate the matter? Yes. Did they run an investigation? No, in their terms, so it’s a matter that’s before them.”

Mark Turner, a former Territory police officer, said he had been to deaths with less blood than the Bennett Park scene.

The Blain MLA said police should have been obliged to investigate what appeared to be a serious harm incident as soon as this publication reported it on Sunday morning, if not earlier.

“The recent event in the CBD, where a significant pool of blood was discovered and if as reported, was subsequently cleared without what appears to be a thorough investigation, raises several pressing concerns,” he said.

“I’ve shared the footage from the media with health professionals who concur that the amount of blood indicates that it would meet the threshold that it endangers or threatens to endanger a person’s life without medical intervention, or is significant or longstanding – the threshold for an offence of serious harm under the Criminal Code Act (NT).”

Blain MLA Mark Turner has questioned NT Police’s response to the unexplained pool of blood in Darwin city over the weekend. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

Mr Turner said he sympathised with the pressures the rank and file were under while “frequently juggling” multiple crime scenes, but urged the police executive to review how the agency responded to the incident.

“While I understand the immense pressures our force is under, it’s vital that we address both the systemic issues at play and ensure that our response protocols in such serious matters uphold the trust our community places in our law enforcement agencies,” he said.

NT Police have refused to answer questions about when forensic evidence was collected and whether police are reviewing CCTV of the area.

It also remains unclear whether City of Darwin contractors cleaned up the scene without direction from police.

Police launch investigation after ‘pool of blood’ washed away

Territory police have launched an investigation into what appeared to be a pool of blood left in the Darwin CBD over the weekend, hours after council officers washed away the evidence.

The City of Darwin confirmed its contractors cleaned up the scene at Bennett Park on Monday morning, hours before an NT Police spokeswoman told this publication there was no investigation nor did police attend the scene.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said police had collected forensic evidence of the scene, which is at odds with official information NT Police provided this publication. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

However on Tuesday morning Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said police were investigating the incident and had collected forensic evidence.

“Police have done forensics and they’ve also reached out to the hospital to try and understand who that might be or what might have happened there,” she said on ABC Radio on Tuesday.

“I know police have called for information to come forward.”

It comes as NT Police put a call out for information on Facebook about 1pm Monday.

“Northern Territory police are aware of images of what is believed to be a pool of blood located on Bennett Street, Darwin City,” it said.

“Emergency services did not respond to any reported incidents at this location over the weekend.

“If members of the public are aware of any incident at that location, please ensure you contact police on 131 444.”

Police have not responded to questions about whether they have reviewed CCTV footage in the area.

NT Health said there was not enough information for clinical staff to comment.

‘Pool of blood’ washed away no police investigation

On Monday an NT Police spokeswoman said officers had not attended any incidents in Bennett Park, where the pool had been left to dry and harden between Parliament House and the Top End Tourist Information Centre.

“There is no crime scene or investigation,” she said just hours after the stain was washed away on Monday.

A St John Ambulance NT spokesman also said paramedics had not attended any incident in the park at the weekend.

The stain was found in Bennett Park about 11.15am on Sunday but is understood to have been present since early Saturday morning.

A City of Darwin spokeswoman said the council engaged contractors to clean the pavement on Monday morning.

“We received no reports over the weekend and, as such, were unaware of the incident until Monday,” she said.

It remains unclear whether police directed council to clean the area.

It comes as a man was allegedly stabbed in the stomach on Cavenagh Street in the early hours of Friday morning, however the police spokeswoman said the two incidents were not linked.

What appears to be a huge pool of dried blood in Bennett Park between Parliament House and the Top End Tourist Information Centre. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Major crime detectives established a crime scene on the street where the stabbing occurred, which a witness told this publication was outside Woolworths – about 800m away from the park.

The 36-year-old died in Royal Darwin Hospital later that day.

The council spokeswoman said police had instructed council to clean up the blood left between Woolworths and Travelodge on Saturday morning.

When contacted for comment on Sunday morning, an NT Police spokeswoman said they did not have any information on a second stabbing and did not answer questions about whether the Bennett Park scene was connected to the serious harm incident on Cavenagh Street.

The spokeswoman did not answer questions about whether a crime scene was established in Bennett Park at the time, telling this publication it would be followed up on Monday.

Darwin tourism operator Daryl Hine, who works nearby, said he came across the “pool of blood” early Saturday morning and was told by security guards it was in relation to a stabbing.

“I’ve seen pools of blood everywhere … it’s become the new norm,” he said.

The stain is understood to have been there since Saturday morning. Picture: Annabel Bowles

“The worst thing is the government still believes there’s not an issue, they still believe it’s not happening.

“I don’t understand how anyone can have zero care.

“It’s that thick – how has the council left it there for two days? It’s not a good look.”

The police spokeswoman said no arrests had been made following the fatal stabbing on Cavenagh Street and the investigation remained ongoing.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the government was “determined to stamp out” knife crime.

“We have already strengthened bail laws for violent offences involving a weapon and given police more powers to stop and search individuals – but we also know that prevention is key,” she said.

“We need to prevent violence of all kinds in our community and that’s what our strategy will focus on: education, prevention and harm reduction.”

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said the scene in Bennett Park was “concerning and distressing”.

“(Crime) is having a huge impact not just on our safety, but of course the impact on tourism, on mums and das pushing the pram on the weekend having a stroll,” she said.
“This is again Natasha Fyles normalising the high levels of violent crime that Territorians are experiencing and people can’t take it anymore.”