Youth Crime Wave in Red Centre Persists Despite Curfew Efforts
Arrests were made and more than 50 weapons were seized including spears, axes, and clubs.
Alice Springs continues to be hit by youth crime days after an emergency curfew was slapped on the under-siege central Australian town.
Several youths allegedly burgled a house on Thursday night, March 28, armed with a weapon and screwdriver, Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy said.
“We have a team of detectives on that and we have some good footage identifying everyone else involved so we’re expecting some quick action on that,” he said.
Mr. Murphy said police received reports a camping stall was broken into by youths about 5 am on March 29.
Chaos descended on the red center town on Tuesday afternoon, March 26, when a large group attacked the Todd Tavern, leaving a $30,000 (US$19,535) damage bill, as tensions escalated between families following the death of a teenager.
Brawls continued later in the evening as family members mourned the death, with up to 150 people clashing in town camps.
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Arrests were made and more than 50 weapons were seized including spears, axes, and clubs.
In response, a curfew was declared, barring anyone under the age of 19 entering Alice Springs’ CBD between 6 pm and 6 am.
Mr. Murphy said the move had made some positive changes.
“This emergency situation and the action that has been undertaken has generated some positive discussion for a number of partners in the Alice Springs community, Central Australia, and actually the nation,” he said.
Chief Minister Eva Lawler on March 28 made an emergency declaration for Alice Springs, enforcing the curfew and deployed an extra 58 police officers to the town.
A group of government and police officials traveled to Alice Springs on March 28 to oversee the new emergency powers.
A temporary curfew was backed by the federal government, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling it “a sensible move”.
“All Australians will be concerned by the scenes that we have seen,” Mr. Albanese told reporters on March 28.
Rising tensions in the desert town were inflamed by the death of an 18-year-old in a fatal car accident in early March.
He died after hanging out of the window of a stolen car that rolled over in the Alice Springs CBD.
The youth was crushed and killed by the vehicle and left there by the driver and passengers.
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who is from Alice Springs, called on the government to send in the Australian Defence Force.
Mr. Murphy said there was no need for extra federal assistance.
“Northern Territory police are more than capable of delivering public safety services to the community, and we will prove that,” he said on March 28.
