300+ arrests, 180+ new banned drinking order initiatives: Cops call time on Operation Ludlow

Operation Ludlow has achieved ‘incredible results’, as NT Police say they’ve now made more than 300 arrests. Read the latest update.

The latest Alice Springs summer policing operation has achieved ‘incredible results’, according to NT Police, who say they’ve now made more than 300 arrests – and achieved more – before it wrapped up.

Taking to Facebook to share the latest Operation Ludlow update Wednesday afternoon, Northern Territory Police Southern Commander James Gray-Spence said the operation achieved “incredible results for the residents of Alice Springs”.

The operation formally concluded on Sunday, Mr Gray-Spence said.

The operation began in November, its beginning date brought forward in wake of “challenges” Alice Springs was facing, NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy said at the time.

It ran for 12 weeks in total.

Northern Territory Police southern commander James Gray-Spence. Picture: Gera Kazakov

A total of 351 arrests were made during the operation, NT Police said.

“During the Operation, the Fugitive Task Force was launched to target and apprehend recidivist offenders, resulting in 62 arrests being made in addition to the Operation Ludlow arrest numbers,” they said.

“Due to its success, the Task Force will continue to operate across the Territory targeting those repeat offenders.”

There were also 292 protective custody episodes, and 183 new banned drinking order initiatives.

In January, officers from South Australia flew into Alice Springs to assist in the operation.

Weeks later, an SA officer returned home after they were injured during a routine arrest.

The remaining SA officers left Alice Springs on Tuesday – leaving a 10 cop shortfall in the town until 11 new recruits arrived in March, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said.