Northern Territory Police have established Operation Drina to target anti-social behaviour and associated crime in Alice Springs.
Recent incidents brought forward the deployment of 40 additional frontline officers into the town last week, with the extra officers already having a positive impact.
Since 23 November, high visibility police patrols have increased predominately in the CBD and The Gap area with 229 litres of liquor destroyed, 168 persons taken into protective custody, 24 arrests, 21 notice to appears issued, 29 traffic infringement notices, 17 summary infringement notices, and 13 banning notices from the Alice Springs Liquor Act declared area.
This includes the arrest of a 14-year-old youth for numerous property offences in Mercorella Court, Sadadeen, between 24 and 27 November. Strike Force Viper, with assistance from Operation Drina members and the Dog Operations Unit, arrested the youth on Sunday after a successful cordon was established shortly after an unlawful entry.
Overnight, police have also charged a 42-year-old man with serious traffic offences after he reversed into a police car while intoxicated.
Shortly before 3:00am this morning, Operation Drina members attempted to apprehend a blue Holden Commodore that had evaded police less than an hour prior. The driver of the Commodore deliberately reversed into the police vehicle causing minor damage before driving away at high speed.
Investigators located and arrested the driver a short time later, where he returned a breath analysis of 0.158. The driver was later charged with:
- High range drink driving
- Fail to obey direction of police officer
- Fail to stop after motor vehicle crash
- Dangerous driving
He was bailed to appear before the Alice Springs Local Court at a later date.
NT Police will be providing more information on Operation Drina over the next month as it progresses.
Superintendent James Gray-Spence said "Operation Drina is an enhanced police response focussing on proactive engagements that reduces crime and improves social amenity.
"The increased frontline presence from Operation Drina, combined with the dedicated investigation team conducting targeted enforcement, is putting police on the front foot.
"Operation Drina has seen good teamwork with other agencies, meeting with operational representatives of the Social Order Response Team's patroller function nightly, to share information and coordinate responses in Alice Springs.
"The support received to-date from members of the public by stopping police as they patrol Alice Springs and thanking them for their service to the community, is fantastic motivation and is greatly appreciated.
If members of the public have information about crime, they are urged to call police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report anonymously online at crimestoppersnt.com.au.
