The Northern Territory chief minister and police commissioner touched down in Alice Springs today promising action to curb violent crime in the outback town. It comes after a home invasion yesterday afternoon which left a two-month-old baby with a skull fracture.
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00:00Brutally attacked in broad daylight.
00:05We've got lawlessness at a level that we haven't seen before.
00:09And we've seen the result of that, a little two-month-old baby
00:14who can't defend itself getting hurt.
00:18A 35-year-old mum was at home yesterday afternoon holding her baby
00:22when two teenagers allegedly broke in, assaulting them both with a metal bar.
00:27It's totally unacceptable and people need to feel safe in their homes.
00:31The baby suffered a skull fracture and was flown to Adelaide for treatment.
00:35The Alice Springs community left shocked and shaken.
00:39I've got a family, I've got a wife, I've got a granddaughter.
00:41We all deserve to be safe, mate.
00:43Police arrested the offenders aged 16 and 17, both appearing in local court today,
00:48facing charges including aggravated assault.
00:51One was on bail and one had outstanding warrants for offences
00:54and they're well known to us.
00:56It's the latest in a string of violent incidents in Alice Springs in recent weeks,
01:00including the alleged rape of a woman on Saturday night while she was sleeping.
01:05Women are being targeted in big numbers.
01:09The NT Chief Minister and Police Commissioner arriving in Alice Springs this morning,
01:13promising action.
01:15There are a lot of very angry people in this town who feel frustrated,
01:19scared, hurt by what has taken place over recent weeks.
01:23And they deserve to be angry.
01:25The Police Commissioner says they'll send more officers to Alice Springs,
01:29but is yet to confirm how many.
01:31He says they'll also repurpose Operation Ludlow,
01:34which is currently targeting hotspots across town with high visibility patrols,
01:39to include the suburbs as well as the CBD.
01:42But others say extra police are not the answer
01:45and politicians need to start listening to local voices and fund community-led programs.
01:51Giving these kids an opportunity back on country,
01:54giving them a bit of discipline, giving them a bit of pride,
01:58giving them a bit of self-worth.
02:00And out back town, crying out for change.