NT Police are calling for public assistance in relation to two incidents overnight in Alice Springs.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Gavin Hopwood from the Southern Serious Crime Group said in the first incident, an 18-year-old female was sitting on a front yard veranda in Carruthers Cres using her mobile phone when an unknown male approached her with a knife, took her phone, and then forced the victim to walk with him out of the yard.

“As the pair passed a group of people sitting in another front yard, the woman was able to get away from the offender and ask for help, after which the male offender has then run off towards Flynn Drive,” Detective Senior Sergeant Hopwood said.

The alleged offender is described as being of aboriginal appearance, about 40-years-old, with an athletic build and was wearing a yellow cap, blue pants and a Congress shirt with an aboriginal print.

In the second incident, just before 2am police received a report of an attempted sexual assault and robbery on Simpson St.

“The alleged male offender was armed with a knife and stole the 29-year-old female victim’s valuables, but fled the scene after being disturbed by a security guard.”

The male offender is described as being about 165cm tall, with dark wavy hair, dark eyes, an athletic build and was wearing a white and black bandana over his head exposing only his eyes, no shirt and light coloured pants.

“At this stage, police do not believe these two incidents are related. We are asking anyone who might have witnessed either of these incidents, or who can identify the alleged offenders to contact us immediately on 131 444 anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”