At just after 9pm last night Police received a call to say a group of men had jumped on the bonnet of a taxi outside the casino in the Gardens.

The caller stated the men have then allegedly thrown a bicycle in front of the cab before walking off along Gilruth Avenue.  Police attended the casino but the taxi had left the area.

Later in the night the taxi driver has confronted a group he believed were same ones involved in the earlier incident.  More taxis have arrived on the scene and in the resultant scuffle two drivers were allegedly assaulted.

Watch Commander Robert Harrison said Police were quickly on the scene and order restored.

“The taxi drivers have then decided to halt all services in the Darwin CBD for the remainder of the night.  They followed this with a protest drive through the CBD with Police in close attendance.

“Obviously their actions caused a significant disruption for the remainder of the evening.”

Watch Commander Harrison said Police take all reports of assaults very seriously and the response calls throughout the night were timely and appropriate.

“We responded to several incidents throughout the duration of this unfolding event and credit must go to our Officers for maintaining order through what turned out to be a very busy night.

”Officers are conducting interviews and utilising CCTV footage as part of the investigation.

Police are asking that anyone who may have witnessed either the casino incident or the assault on Smith Street to call 131 444 or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.