Brent Potter, Natasha Fyles announce Alice Springs summer safety plan

Plans for a ‘zero-tolerance’ summer are in place as Alice Springs prepare to tackle crime in the warmer months.

The Territory’s newly-minted police minister has announced a four-point plan to rein in Alice Springs crime ahead of cops’ busiest time of the year.

Police Minister Brent Potter said 50 officers operating under Operation Drina would be key to ensuring Alice Springs residents feel safe during the summer months.

It comes just days after Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley called for emergency curfews and lockdowns in the region to curb crime.

“Our police officers and Territory Families staff will be there responding and acting – they will make sure the right supports are there,” Mr Potter said.

“Through changes the Territory Labor government made to the Trespass Act 2023, it is now easier for business owners, landlords and security guards to issue trespass notices on individuals.

“It clarifies the penalties that will apply for trespass offences, which include fines and potential term of imprisonment.”

Police Minister Brent Potter. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The safety plan will also offer targeted support for “at-risk” young people through Operation Lunar.

The operation will be co-led by NT Police and Territory Families, Housing, and Communities and include accelerated case management with social workers, specialist youth workers, and Aboriginal community workers.

An extensive school holiday program will be in place to keep young kids and families engaged.

The activities will be available in Alice Springs and 20 nearby communities.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said her government was doing “more than ever” to reduce alcohol abuse.

“While we’re tackling this at every angle, let’s be clear, there is never any excuse for crime and no one gets to escape the consequences of their actions,” she said.

“This is a zero tolerance summer for anti-social behaviour in Alice Springs.

“The police are ready to deal with anyone who thinks otherwise.”

MLA calls for lockdowns ahead of ‘deteriorating law and order’

An Alice Springs politician has called for emergency curfews and lockdowns, but a top cop said police were ready for the busy summer months.

Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley on Friday called for emergency strategies be implemented to address the looming “deterioration of law and order”.

“This crime crisis cannot be underestimated, minimised, or dismissed by the NT government, as it has been in the past,” Ms Lambley wrote in a letter to newly-minted Police Minister Brent Potter.

“We are now seeing crime and anti-social behaviour escalating to levels seen during December 2022 and January 2023, placing the safety and wellbeing of all residents and all visitors at risk.”

Acting Deputy Commissioner Martin Dole said Alice Springs police were better equipped to handle a crime spike than last year.

Mr Dole said it was “realistic” to expect police to be at their busiest during the warmer months.

“We’ve got sufficient resources, more resources than we actually had available last year,” he said.

“We’re working with our partner agencies to continue to deliver public safety.”

Mr Dole said Operation Drina – which launched November last year – was still active and would continue to operate in the coming months.

Originally published as Brent Potter, Natasha Fyles announce Alice Springs summer safety plan