Police strike force set up to tackle spiralling youth crime wave in Alice Springs

AN NT police strike force — Strike Force Viper — has been set up to tackle a spiralling youth crime wave

A POLICE strike force has been set up to tackle the spiralling youth crime wave gripping the Red Centre.

Southern Commander Craig Laidler said the task force — Strike Force Viper — would focus on the unlawful entry of homes and businesses, and stolen cars.

Six officers from Strike Force Trident in Darwin have flown down to help, while police from other units in Alice Springs have also been tasked to help address the issue.

An officer and his police dog (far left shadow) keep an eye on two suspects laying on the ground (long shadow second from left) from the other side of a fence as three other police officers descend on their position. Still image: NT Police drone footage

“Strike Force Viper will target known property offenders and identified ringleaders,” he said.

The latest serious incident — seemingly the last straw — occurred late Thursday night when a motorcyclist was struck and critically injured by an allegedly stolen blue Subaru Forester, which drove off from the scene.

Police allege the driver of the Subaru ran a red light, causing the crash at the Larapinta Drive intersection in Alice Springs.

Officers were able to track the vehicle using CCTV and a drone until they were able to deploy tyre deflation devices, stopping the car on Grevillea Drive.

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The 47-year-old motorcyclist was flown to Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment to his injuries and is in a critical condition.

“Thankfully our members were on scene in a matter of minutes and started providing medical assistance to the rider prior to the arrival of paramedics otherwise it may have been a different result from that collision,” Cdr Laidler said.

He said the actions of those involved in the alleged hit-and-run were disgraceful.

“These people continue to have a complete disregard for the law that our members have to deal with on a 24/7 basis,” he said.

Four suspects — aged between 13- and 19-years-old — have been charged with a range of offences including drive motor vehicle cause serious harm, hit and run cause serious harm, unlawful use of a motor vehicle – cause injury to person and fail to rescue/provide help.

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Police continue to conduct inquiries to identify a fifth person who was in the vehicle at the time.

Anyone with information which may assist with their investigations is urged to contact police on 131 444 or report it anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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