In short:
Northern Territory Police Minister Brent Potter says the NT’s police commissioner is considering a curfew in Alice Springs after the alleged assault on four off-duty officers.
A group of roughly 20 youths allegedly attacked the officers as they were crossing the Todd River to make their way back to their hotel.
What’s next?
The police commissioner is expected to make a decision later today or early tomorrow, Mr Potter says.
The NT’s police minister says a second curfew in Alice Springs is being considered after four off-duty police officers were allegedly assaulted on Sunday morning by a group of around 20 youths.
Police Minister Brent Potter said it had been a “horror 72 hours” in the Red Centre town, after a police officer was run over outside a bottle shop two nights ago, and an alleged stabbing occurred in the CBD.
In a statement this afternoon, NT Police said the four officers — three women and one man — were approached from behind by the group and then allegedly assaulted and robbed.
The incident happened at 2.15am on a walkway crossing the Todd River, which cuts through Alice Springs.
NT Police said the four officers were on their way to a hotel on Barrett Drive, on the opposite side of the Todd River from the Alice Springs CBD.
“One female was pulled to the ground and had her bag stolen, another female was punched in the face and kicked multiple times and had her mobile phone taken while the male was also punched and kicked multiple times,” NT Police said in the statement.
Two of the women then attended Alice Springs Hospital with minor injuries.
Police are urging any eyewitnesses to contact them with information.
Police Commissioner weighing up second curfew
Police Minister Potter described the incident on Sunday morning as unacceptable and “criminal” and said the Police Commissioner Michael Murphy was in Alice Springs.
He said the four victims “just so happened” to be police officers and that the alleged attack was “predatory in nature”.
Under new laws introduced in May, the Northern Territory’s police commissioner has the power to declare 72-hour lockdowns to respond to “public disorder”.
The new powers were in response to concerns that a curfew in Alice Springs in March was unlawful under existing emergency management laws.
“[Commissioner Murphy] is looking at every option, I can tell you right now he is looking at the curfew,” Mr Potter said.
“He’ll make that decision, that’s up to him.”
Mr Potter said a decision on what action would be taken would be made either this evening or tomorrow.
Alice Springs has been at the centre of national attention over its crime issues in recent years.
In January last year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the town and announced over $200 million in federal funding to combat Indigenous disadvantage and crime.
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