TRG dealing with kids on roof at Don Dale detention centre

Seven detainees climbed onto the roof of Darwin’s notorious Don Dale youth detention centre, refusing to get down.The incident started around 6pm when the youths gained entry to the roof from their accommodation block

Detainees are on the roof at Don Dale Youth Detention Centre. Picture: Keri Megelus

UPDATE: The seven teenagers who climbed onto the roof of Don Dale youth detention centre “will be held accountable for their actions”, a Territory Families spokeswoman said.

Seven detainees — more than a third of those in the detention centre — climbed onto the roof of the detention centre at Berrimah on Fridan night, prompting authorities to call police negotiators and the heavily-armed Territory Response Group.

The spokeswoman said no keys were taken during the incident, unlike a riot last year which saw around $1 million worth of damage to the centre.

The teenagers climbed down from the roof around midnight, six hours after the incident began.

It was the third time this year detainees had climbed onto the roof.

The spokeswoman said: “Investigations are ongoing and Police may pursue criminal charges if necessary”.

The seven detainees were aged between 13 and 17.

There are 20 detainees at Don Dale, 11 on remand and nine who have been sentenced.

EARLIER: Seven detainees climbed onto the roof of Darwin’s notorious Don Dale youth detention centre, refusing to get down.

The incident started around 6pm when the youths managed to get onto the roof from their accommodation block.

Two staff at the centre were given medical attention by ambulance officers but it’s not known what injuries they sustained, if any.

In the process of climbing on the roof the group set off a fire alarm.

“Police formally took control of the incident at 6:45pm, following which they established a safety perimeter,” a spokeswoman for Territory Families said.

“At this time, the incident is ongoing and Police negotiators are working with the young people.”

Staff inside Don Dale. Picture: Keri Megelus

The Territory Response Group’s armoured vehicle the BearCat is also on the scene.

Three detainees were heard by witnesses laughing and rapping while police and centre staff tried to negotiate with the boys to get them off the roof.

The TRG’s BearCat is seen entering the facility. Picture: Keri Megelus

In November last year a riot saw inmates set fire to parts of the facility.

It took an army of police, including the TRG and armed riot police around eight hours to bring the centre under control.