Alice Springs youth curfew extended beyond school break following violence in NT

A ban on children entering the Alice Springs CBD will be extended beyond the school holidays amid concerns that violence could kick off once again.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Eva Lawler announced a youth curfew in the town centre would remain in place until 6am on April 16.

The two-week youth curfew was imposed on March 27 when the NT government declared an emergency following escalating violence in the Red Centre.

The declaration bans people under the age of 18 from entering the town centre between 6pm and 6am without a valid reason.

Originally intended as a “circuit breaker”, Ms Lawler said it was important for the town not to lose momentum.

“We’re taking a common-sense approach to improving community safety in Alice Springs,” she said.

“Work is being done right now to ensure that the community is prepared for when the curfew ends and we continue to have a strong presence from police, Territory Families and the Department of Education.”

The curfew was initially intended to end on Wednesday but has been extended to run beyond the school holiday period, which concludes on Monday.

There tends to be an influx of young people into Alice from surrounding communities on school holidays.

Ms Lawler met with the Territory Emergency Management Council and local stakeholders on Monday to discuss how the town will transition out of curfew.

Police Minister Brent Potter said police would continue to work closely with Territory Families and other agencies once the curfew is lifted.

The initial 14-day curfew was imposed as part of an emergency declaration to quell a conflagration of violence in the desert town.

Rising tensions 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 and was left there by the driver and passengers.

Hostilities between families exploded when a large group attacked the Todd Tavern, leaving a $30,000 damage bill.

Brawls continued later in the evening as family members mourned the death, with up to 150 people clashing in town camps.

Officers made several arrests and seized more than 50 weapons, including spears, axes and clubs.

Ms Lawler called the emergency declaration the next day, imposing the curfew and deploying an extra 58 police officers to the town.

South Australian police officers will also be deployed to Alice Springs to support their Territory counterparts.

The NT opposition called on the government to extend the curfew until the end of April and give police more teeth to hold parents accountable.

“The curfew can’t just be a drop off service, forcing our police to run around in circles,” shadow treasurer Bill Yan said.

“It has to be a curfew with consequences.”