NT Police serious crime squad investigate 14 teenagers allegedly involved in Don Dale riot

Police are yet to charge anyone five days after 14 young people allegedly lit fires and climbed onto the roof of Don Dale.

Police have not laid charges against any of the teenagers allegedly involved in a 17-hour standoff during a riot at Don Dale.

On Monday, Assistant Commissioner Matthew Hollamby confirmed the serious crime squad was considering slapping 14 young people with arson and criminal damage charges following the Wednesday afternoon incident.

Mr Hollamby alleged 14 teenagers, aged between 13 and 17, took part in the riot in which children climbed on the roof, lit fires and threw projectiles, resulting in a police officer suffering a fractured leg.

He said it was a “fairly complex investigation” and would rely heavily on CCTV from the children’s prison.

Despite no charges in five days Mr Hollamby said the investigation should “take its natural course”, adding “we know where they are”.

Territory Families said the young people were in full lockdown for almost 24 hours, until 3pm Thursday, April 4.

The alleged riot response was the first time in three years that NT Police were called to the infamous detention centre.

The presence of the police did not appear to de-escalate the situation, with fires allegedly set two and a half hours after cops arrived at Don Dale at 5pm.

Mr Hollamby said the fires were limited to one of the buildings, and were extinguished by 7.30pm.

“Policing response to an incident like what had occurred at Don Dale is containment and resolution through negotiation,” he said.

Mr Hollamby was unable to confirm the cause of the fire, or the scale of the damage.

While Youth Justice Officers and other Don Dale staff retreated from the alleged riot, there were 30 other young people still at the centre who did not take part in the incident.

Mr Hollamby said the other children “were safe at the time that the fire occurred”, however could not confirm the measures taken to ensure the teens safety given the fires and property destruction.

“Their safety would have been one of the first priorities,” he said.

A Territory Families spokeswoman said it was not appropriate to comment on how the children in their care were kept safe, given the police investigation.

“We are working closely with DIPL engineers to determine the extent of the damage,” she said.

“Once that has been determined, we will have clearer idea of cost and time frames.

“Youth justice staff will continue to operate under an alternative operational model until repairs have been undertaken to ensure the site is safe for young people, staff and visitors.”