Wadeye police have been kept busy over the weekend following several disturbances that started on Friday evening and escalated through Saturday night into Sunday morning.
At each of the disturbances several hundred people would gather and as police attended most of them would run off in the surrounding scrubland. A number of men had armed themselves with steel bars and rocks and during one incident a residence was hit with rocks and sustained some damage to wall panelling.
A key group of offenders were identified and additional police from Peppimenarti and three Territory Response Section officers were sent to assist with patrols on Sunday and through the night.
Since Sunday afternoon a total of 39 people have been arrested in relation to the disturbances that occurred over the weekend. All identified offenders were males, the youngest 15 and the eldest 45.
Two males have been remanded in custody, 28 released and issued with a Summary Infringement Notice for fighting in a public place, seven are still in custody and two have been bailed.
The majority of offenders will appear at the court in Wadeye in October and investigations are on-going.
Charges include:
Disturbing the public peace
Engage in violent conduct
Armed with an offensive weapon
Going armed in public
Disorderly behaviour in a public place
Resist police in execution of duty
Acting Superintendent Steve Heyworth of the Katherine and Western Division said, "We cannot tolerate community unrest of this nature and will do everything we can to identify and charge those involved."
"What was particularly heartening this time was the minimal number of injuries and that over half of those involved handed themselves in through the intervention of the families. We will continue to work with senior elders and family members to sort through the issues and areas of tension between the groups."
Elders have been meeting with police and talking directly with those involved around the community and at the police station. Over the past 24 hours there have been no further reports of disturbances.
"We will continue to review the number and type of police resources necessary to maintain order. It is important to return the community to a semblance of normality as soon as possible after disturbances such as these, "said A/Superintendent Heyworth.
Media contact:
Sue Bradley
8922 3185
