A 31-year-old woman has been arrested after an alleged stabbing at Coconut Grove that left another woman in a critical condition.

About 6.40pm yesterday evening, Police Public Order Response Unit members were conducting a patrol at a Coconut Grove address when nearby they observed the offender allegedly stab another woman multiple times with a knife.

Officers directed the woman to drop the weapon, and she complied and was taken into custody without further incident.

Police immediately provided first aid to the 29-year-old victim until St John Ambulance personnel arrived.

The woman was then transported to Royal Darwin Hospital in a critical condition.

A crime scene was established and detectives, crime scene investigators and forensic officers attended.

Investigations are ongoing and the offender remains in police custody.