Extra police to remain in Alice Springs after curfew

More police patrols and family service officers will be on the streets of Alice Springs after the violence-hit town emerges from its "successful" youth curfew experiment.

An additional 25 police officers and increased Territory Families staff will remain stationed in the town's safety hub to allay fears that crime could once again flare up.

Children under 18 are prohibited from entering the Alice Springs CBD between 6pm and 6am under a curfew imposed on March 27 following a spate of "horrific" brawls that rattled the town.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Eva Lawler said the increased policing measures would allow the public to "experience the positive things that the curfew brought in" once it is lifted on Tuesday morning.

"We want families to be able to come into the CBD," she told reporters on Friday. 

"To come to cafes, to come to restaurants in the CBD. That's what people have told me they've enjoyed around the curfew. Being able to feel safe to be able to park their car and come in for dinner."

The additional police officers will mainly be sourced from Darwin and will be be posted to the red centre until June. 

Subsequently, a number of recently graduated constables will be deployed to Alice Springs as well as 18 frontline support officers, NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy said.

Earlier in the week, it was revealed 33 Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspectors would be leaving their posts in Alice Springs and flying back to Darwin for training.

Ms Lawler said their places would be taken by sworn police officers, with all bottle shops in the town to remain covered.

A community safety hub will be set up in the town's mall, staffed by traditional owners, auxiliary police, Territory Families staff and education truancy officers to provide further engagement.

"We need to make sure that if kids are in the CBD, there's a reason for it," Ms Lawler said. 

"They should be there with a carer or family member and if they don't, well, that's when Territory Families will step in."

Eva Lawler
Chief Minister Eva Lawler would be "more than happy" to call another curfew if it was needed.

Territory Families chief executive Emma White said staff had seen a pleasing response from families of young people they had engaged with during the curfew.

"We're really committed to continuing the intensity that we've seen with extra staff here in Alice Springs," she said.

"We're also continuing our increased staff in our public housing safety officer team, which will continue post the curfew to engage with households and particular tenancies that might be struggling with visitors and other issues in their household."

Ms Lawler said she would be "more than happy" to call a curfew again if needed in the future.

"What we saw on the Tuesday two weeks ago was abhorrent behaviour," she said.

"There's been a reluctance in the past to have a curfew. We've seen it be successful in Alice Springs."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store