Police in the remote Northern Territory community of Wadeye — a town sometimes dubbed Australia’s Wild West — say they were attacked by a group of armed men wielding rocks, window louvres, bows and arrows, and metal bars.
The confrontation unfolded about 5.30pm on Sunday, when officers were allegedly approached by the group, with many members accused of using nearby bushland to conceal their movements.
‘Police repeatedly attempted to disperse the group, warning that force may be used if they continued to advance. Those directions were ignored,’ an NT Police statement read.
‘The group continued to move towards police while armed and throwing projectiles, requiring police to deploy tactical options to disperse the crowd and prevent them from advancing further towards residential properties.’
During the incident, one person allegedly shot an arrow from a compound bow towards police, striking a patrol vehicle.
Authorities said multiple police vehicles sustained damage, though no officers or members of the public were injured.
Police used additional tactical measures before the group eventually broke up and left the area.
NT Police have denounced the latest violence as ‘unacceptable’, as Wadeye continues to face weeks of unrest and disorder within the Aboriginal community.
A group of men allegedly attacked police with rocks, window louvres, bows and arrows and metal bars in the Wadeye on Sunday. Pictured is a previous incident in the remote community
‘This was an appalling display of violence,’ Superintendent Virginia Read said.
‘There is absolutely no justification for this behaviour.
‘Our officers are in Wadeye to protect the community and prevent further violence, and they should not be subjected to deliberate and potentially deadly attacks while carrying out that duty.
‘The fact that people continued to advance on police despite repeated directions to disperse demonstrates an alarming disregard for the safety of police, residents and the wider community.’
Additional police resources have been deployed to increase community patrols.
‘An arrow, rock or piece of metal directed at another person or a moving vehicle has the potential to cause catastrophic injury or death,’ Supt Read added.
‘Those choosing to participate in this violence need to understand the seriousness of their actions.
‘Police will continue working with community leaders and residents to restore calm, but those responsible for criminal behaviour will be identified, investigated and held to account.’
Wadeye is one of the Northern Territory’s largest Aboriginal communities and has been plagued by outbreaks of violence between rival Aboriginal clans for decades.
The remote community has a population of almost 2,000, according to the 2021 Census
The remote township has witnessed pitched battles after dark, with rival gang members roaming the streets and homes and vehicles being set alight.
Groups armed with axes, hammers, iron bars and machetes have also taken to the streets searching for rivals in recent years.
Wadeye was originally developed to bring Aboriginal people from the surrounding region together in one township, giving residents greater access to modern services and facilities.
But its population has dramatically increased to 2,000 in recent years, placing increasing pressure on housing and infrastructure.
The township is home to 22 different clans, with several languages spoken and often 10 or more people living under one roof.
Some residents have called for blocks of land outside Wadeye to allow families to establish separate clan homelands on their traditional country.
The community is located in Australia’s second-most disadvantaged region, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
A 2019 survey highlighted the scale of Wadeye’s housing crisis, finding 57 of its 400 homes were severely overcrowded, with some housing more than 20 people.
