Northern Territory Police are calling for witnesses to a violent assault on four off-duty police officers in Alice Springs to come forward amid another potential snap lockdown in the crime-plagued city.
Three female and one male officer were attacked by a gang of male youths while walking along the Todd River walkway near the Stott Terrace bridge at about 2:15 am on Sunday morning.
The four officers were approached from behind by a group of about 20 male youths who proceeded to assault the police officers.
One female was pulled to the ground and had her bag stolen, while another female was punched in the face and kicked multiple times and had her mobile phone taken.
The male officer was also punched and kicked multiple times by the gang of youths.
The group of 20 males then left the area with the four victims returning to their accommodation before calling police.
Two of the female victims were later transported to Alice Springs Hospital for treatment of minor wounds sustained in the attack.
NT Police Minister Brent Potter has condemned the violent incident and confirmed the territory’s Police Commissioner Michael Murphy may trigger a 72-hour lockdown in the outback city to restore order.
“He’ll make that decision, that’s up to him,” Mr Potter told the ABC on Sunday afternoon.
The update comes one month after Chief Minister Eva Lawler introduced new legislation that grants the police commissioner the power to enforce snap curfews to combat youth crime.
The new legislation was announced after a dramatic three-week nightly curfew in April which barred youths from entering the CBD area between 6pm and 6am.
Northern Territory Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident on Sunday or has information to make contact on 131 444 and please quote reference number P24181885.
Anonymous tips can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.