Alice Springs residents will now see an increased police presence throughout the CBD as additional officers are working in town.
This is in response to ongoing community concern surrounding crime and anti-social behaviour.
The officers will be conducting high-visibility patrols – including foot, Segway, Mounted Police, motorbike, and K9 – throughout the CBD.
They will be complemented by joint patrols with Education Compliance Officers, Public Housing Safety Officers and Youth Outreach and Re-Engagement Teams (YORETS) to proactively engage with unsupervised youth and refer them to support services where possible.
An additional ‘drone’ resource has been sent to the Alice Springs police to help tackle crime, along with an increased CCTV capability to monitor anti-social behaviour hotspots.
This targeted operation will be in place until May, when thirty new constables graduate from training and arrive in Alice Springs.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Nicole Manison:
“We are listening to the concerns of Alice Springs residents, and while the latest statistics show reductions in crime, it is clear that the community sentiment does not reflect that.
“From this week, residents will see an increased police presence throughout the CBD – these officers will remain in place until May when thirty constables graduate from training and take up their postings in Alice.
“Alice Springs has also received over 40 new Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspectors (PALIs) in the last 12 months. These PALIs have made a significant impact in the town, and eased pressure on our frontline police, Watch Houses and Hospitals.
Minister for Territory Families Dale Wakefield:
“Every person in Alice Springs has the right to feel safe and expect their homes, businesses and property to be secure. We have listened to the concerns of people in Alice Springs and we have taken action.
“The CLP cut youth services and we are still dealing with the outcomes.
“The Territory Labor Government has invested more resources than ever to tackling youth crime, including: Re-installing the youth night patrol (that the CLP cut), creating the Youth Engagement Night Officers, increasing the hours of youth drop-in centres, investing in school holidays and after hours’ activities. We’ve also put more cops on the beat than ever before.”
