Nightcliff Police Station: Woman sexually assaulted

Northern Territory Police are investigating an alleged sexual assault in Nightcliff, just metres from the local police station.

Northern Territory Police are investigating an alleged sexual assault in Nightcliff early on Friday morning just metres from the local police station.

Police said at about 5.45am on July 25, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that a woman had been sexually assaulted by an unknown man on Boetdeomba St, near the Progress Drive intersection.

Police said the man fled the scene before officers arrived, and investigations are underway to identify and locate him.

He is described as being of Aboriginal appearance, wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, green camouflage print shorts and high-cut white socks.

Nightcliff Police Station generic. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Nightcliff Police Station opened in late 2021, and was immediately targeted for failing to deliver on the promises made by the then Labor Government around its construction and operation.

Originally intended to cost $7m, the project blew-out to $12 million and instead of being a 24/7 permanent operation, the facility opened at 8am and was often closed well ahead of its scheduled 4pm closing time.

During the Wet season, its large awnings offer shelter for those sleeping rough.

Upon winning office chief minister Lia Finocchiaro publicly attacked the previous Labor Government for failures around the police station, while doing nothing to make it fit-for-purpose.

She said the facility was nothing more than a “glorified office block” that did not contain any holding cells or watch house facilities.

“Territorians shouldn’t be left under the illusion that somehow it will be able to increase its policing capacity,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.

“It’s a building that’s not fit for purpose. It can’t be a highly operational building because it’s a glorified office space.”

Originally published as Nightcliff Police Station: Woman sexually assaulted