The Northern Territory (NT) Police have announced another curfew in the central Australian town of Alice Springs in the wake of a series of violent assaults in the remote community.
The three-day public order will last from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and apply to both adults and children.
Declaring the curfew on Monday afternoon (July 8), NT Commissioner Michael Murphy said the move aims to “disrupt the behaviours associated with the harm we’re seeing” in the outback town.
A litany of serious incidents unfolded over the weekend, including a large-scale fight involving 80 people in which police were assaulted.
Four off-duty police officers were also set upon by 20 assailants who assaulted and robbed them.
There was also the unlawful discharge of fireworks into a business premises, a knife incident, the aggravated robbery of a service station by three youths, and stolen motor vehicle pursuits which led to the arrest of 12 people, police noted.
Areas subjected to the curfew include the town centre between Anzac Hill, the Alice Springs Hospital, the Stuart Highway and Leichhardt Terrace, which runs along the Todd River.
During the curfew, police have powers to control the movement of people to prevent, stop or reduce public disorder in the declared area.
For example, police can direct a person to leave a declared area, direct a group to disperse, and order a person to remain in a location for no longer than two hours.
At the same time, police must ensure that directions are given in a manner that is likely to be heard by all persons.
Offending ‘Unacceptable’: Lawler
NT Chief Minister Eva Lawler supported the police commissioner’s decision, arguing that it’s “what is needed to improve community safety in Alice Springs.”She criticised the violence over last few days as “unacceptable.”
“I love Alice Springs, but the offending and behaviour that we have seen over the last 96 hours will not be tolerated,” she told reporters.
“Territory police are doing an incredible job in very difficult circumstances and I want to personally thank the police commissioner, Michael Murphy.”
Ms. Lawler added that past experience showed curfews can be an effective “circuit breaker” in the remote town.
“The curfew will provide police extra powers to get on top of the situation on the ground in Alice Springs,” she noted.
“This is exactly why my government passed curfew legislation in May. We want police to use the curfew powers when it’s needed, and that time is right now.”
Meanwhile, the minister referred to comments by Police Minister Brent Potter vast majority of people in Alice Springs “do the right thing every single day,” such as small businesses trying to make a living and tourism services trying to operate in the town.
“And then we have a small number of people that bring that town down by doing some, you know, disgraceful acts that we’ve seen,” she said.
This is the second curfew in Alice Springs this year.
The first public disorder declaration took place in April. It was extended by six days after being originally implemented in late March in response to a string of violent incidents and unrest in the city.
Young people under the age of 18 were unable to enter the town centre between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. without a valid reason.
