NT Police Minister Brent Potter to visit Tennant Creek, Alice Springs

Amid escalating Red Centre crime, Brent Potter has confirmed he will meet community leaders this weekend. Read which CLP leader is keen for his arrival.

Brent Potter will meet crime-affected locals “face-to-face” in Tennant Creek and Alice Springs this weekend, following a wave of home invasions and relentless crime in the Red Centre.

Asked if the trip was prompted by the recent crime spike, the Police Minister told NT News he “always planned” to visit the troubled towns.

“I had always planned to return to Alice Springs and Tennant Creek early in January as my first trip in 2024 – this trip was booked in December,” he said.

Mr Potter confirmed he would meet with “frontline police and business owners”.

“As Police Minister I’m best informed on the ground hearing from the frontline and local community representatives and the best way to do these is speaking to people face-to-face,” he said.

“I am planning to meet with our frontline police and business owners.

“I am always listening to our stakeholders to learn how we can better tackle crime and this trip will be no different.”

Member for Barkly Steve Edgington, who penned an 1800-word open letter last week which lashed the NT Government for its “dysfunctional approach” to crime, confirmed he remained open to discussing with Brent Potter “key issues” in his electorate.

“An invitation to Police Minister Brent Potter has been extended to discuss the key issues throughout the Barkly as highlighted in my open letter to the Chief Minister last Sunday,” he said.

Northern Territory Police Union president Nathan Finn said the visit was “the very least Mr Potter should be doing”.

“This is what Minister Potter was appointed to do: listen to victims of violent assaults, break ins, thefts and property damage – and our hardworking members who are struggling to deal with the day to day demands of record levels of crime, harm and violence in the community,” he said.

“The current state of crime in the Territory is a direct result of the NT Government’s ongoing neglect of police resourcing, and poor policy settings.

“Speaking to the people directly impacted by the crime crisis is the very least Minister Potter should be doing.”