Photo: stock
THE NT Government is vowing to crack down after police officers were attacked three times in as many days in a small town south-west of Darwin.
NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy says the recent attacks on police at Wadeye, about 230km south-west of Darwin, is “disgraceful”.
“This is the third attack on our Wadeye members in as many days. It is absolutely unacceptable that police have been assaulted once again while executing their duties to serve and protect the community,” he says.
“I am thankful that no one was seriously hurt during this incident. I commend the two members involved for their professionalism in the way they managed a very challenging situation.”
He is dispatching further police resources to the area including the Tactical Response Group and dog unit.
He says they will also be seeking meetings with the Northern Land Council and community leaders.
“We cannot tolerate this behaviour further and will support the community and relevant stakeholders to ensure action is taken immediately,” Murphy says.
“The solution is not solely a police issue, the community has responsibility.”
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro says the attacks are “absolutely abhorrent and will not be tolerated”.
“This violence must stop. Our police officers risk their lives every day to protect our communities,” she says.
“They deserve our respect and support, not to be targets of violence.”
WADEYE ATTACK
In the latest attack, NT police arrested a 31-year-old man on Friday, January 10.
Police say that at 9.30pm, two police officers on patrol were alerted to a street disturbance involving a group of up to 15 people, during which a 31-year-old man allegedly pushed a woman to the ground.
They tried to arrest the man who resisted and tried to, but failed, disarm one officer of a taser.
The officers were swarmed by the group and were struck on their backs as the group allegedly armed themselves with rocks and objects and began threatening the officers, NT police said.
The officers managed to take the suspect to their vehicle where he resisted them and struck a female officer, trying and failing to get her gun before he was secured.
Police says the officers did not sustain any injuries.
The 31-year-old man remains in custody and was due to be charged with multiple offences today (January 11), police say.
Investigations are continuing.
