Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy has issued a Public Disorder Declaration (PDD) for Alice Springs.
The Declaration includes a restricted movement provision in the Alice Springs CBD for all residents and visitors to the town between the hours of 10:00pm and 06:00am.
The Declaration will start at 10:00pm tonight and run for the next 72 hours.
The Declaration has been made following several serious incidents within the declared CBD area over the past 72 hours, including civil disturbances involving large scale public fighting, assaults upon persons, the unlawful discharge of fireworks into a business premises and stolen motor vehicles being driven dangerously.
Under a Declaration (section 135B and 135C PAA) Police have powers to control the movement of people in order to prevent, stop or reduce public disorder in the declared area (section 135D). These new powers can only be exercised by Police while a PDD is in effect.
During a PDD, police can:
- Direct a person (to whom the declaration applies) to not enter, or to leave, the declared area;
- Direct a group of people to disperse (as long the as declaration applies to at least one person in the group);
- Direct any person to remain where they are (for no longer than 2 hours) if Police believe it is reasonably necessary to prevent a risk to the safety of any person.
The police powers came into force on 1 June 2024 following amendments to the Police Administration Act 1978 (NT) (PAA) and the Police Administration Regulations 1994 (NT) which were passed by the Government in May.
The amendments empower the Commissioner to make a Public Disorder Declaration in an area where public disorder is occurring or where there is an imminent risk of public disorder occurring.
During a PDD Police must ensure that directions are given in a manner that is likely to be heard by all persons.
Failure to comply with a direction, without a reasonable reason such as being at, or going to work is an offence (section 135E). The offence can be dealt with by way of infringement.
All Public Disorder Declarations are independently reviewed by the Ombudsman NT.
Commissioner Michael Murphy said, “Northern Territory Police, with the support of interagency partners, will take an educational approach in the implementation of the Public Disorder Declaration.
“The intent of the declaration is to prevent public disorder from occurring within the declared area, with support from additional police and inter-agency patrols within the Alice Springs CBD.
“We encourage everyone to familiarise themselves with the requirements of the declaration to support our efforts towards a safer Alice Springs.”
