Alice Springs: Fears of another snap lockdown for crime-riddled outback town after off-duty cops were assaulted by youths

An Australian outback town may be on the verge of another lockdown to combat rising crime after four off-duty police officers were reportedly assaulted.

The Northern Territory police chief is considering imposing a curfew in crime-ridden Alice Springs after an alleged attack on Sunday.

One male and three female officers were reportedly attacked by a gang of 20 male youths on the Todd River trail in the Red Centre, near the Stott Terrace Bridge, at around 2.15am on Sunday.

The off-duty officers were returning to their hotel when they were attacked from behind by the youths who allegedly assaulted them.

One female officer was reportedly pulled to the ground and her bag stolen. Another woman was reportedly punched in the face and kicked multiple times. Her mobile phone was also reportedly taken.

The male officer was also reportedly punched and kicked several times.

The group then left the area while our off-duty officers returned to their residence, where they alerted police.

Two female officers were taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

The shocking incident comes after Chief Minister Eva Lawler introduced new legislation in May giving the police commissioner the power to enforce 72-hour lockdowns. Pictured is an earlier incident in Alice Springs

Northern Territory Police Minister Brent Potter condemned the attack and confirmed the territory’s police chief, Michael Murphy, could impose a 72-hour lockdown to restore order.

Mr Potter said the incident was “criminal” and “predatory in nature” and the four victims “coincidentally” turned out to be police officers.

He said Commissioner Murphy was considering all options and a decision would be made on Monday.

“I can tell you right now he’s looking at the curfew,” Mr. Potter said.

Mr Potter said it had been a “horrific 72 hours” in Alice Springs following an alleged stabbing in the CBD that left a police officer run over outside a liquor store.

Sunday’s shocking incident follows new legislation introduced in May by Chief Minister Eva Lawler, which gives the police chief the power to enforce immediate 72-hour lockdowns.

A three-week curfew was imposed in April, banning young people from Alice Spring’s CBD between 6pm and 6am.

In late March, a 14-day curfew was imposed on youth in Alice Springs after 150 people reportedly rioted on the streets.

In April, a three-week curfew was imposed, banning youth from Alice Spring’s CBD between 6pm and 6am. Pictured is an earlier incident at the Todd Tavern

Northern Territory Police Chief Michael Murphy said in April he had seen a marked drop in crime around the city centre following the introduction of the curfew.

“We have seen some break-ins in the suburbs and in some commercial properties, but not on the same scale as before the curfew,” Murphy said.

‘The feedback from police officers and additional support workers has been overwhelmingly positive.’

Northern Territory Police are asking anyone who witnessed Sunday morning’s incident to contact Crime Stoppers.