Lawlessness in Alice Springs laid bare as business owner claims man attempted to break in with a HAMMER – before he was let go by police: ‘This place is so unsafe and ridiculous’
- Man with a hammer walked into Alice Spring business
- Owner claims he ‘scared’ four women walking there
- He said police chased the man but then let him go
A business owner has claimed a man armed with a hammer attempted to walk into his business in Alice Springs in the latest chapter of the crime wave gripping the Northern Territory town.
The business owner, who has not been named, says four police cars attended the scene on Elder Street ‘quickly’, and chased the man.
However, the furious man complained the suspect was not arrested or taken into custody.
He claimed the man had his hammer confiscated but was free to go, much to the alarm of the ‘scared’ four women working at his business.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Northern Territory Police for comment.
In a video shared by community group Action for Alice Springs, the business owner claims he employs three women and one girl and was ‘disgraced’ by the rising crime levels in Alice Springs.
‘A guy has walked into site tried to walk inside our business.
‘We have four female staff, he’s tried to walk inside our business with a hammer.
‘This place is totally, totally ridiculous.
‘Police were called. They attended quickly. They had four waggons.
He explained that cops chased the man up the hill and took his hammer, before letting him go.
‘He’s allowed to walk the streets.
A man has claimed an armed attacker attempted to walk into his business in Alice Springs while swinging a hammer in the latest shocking claim of violence from the Northern Territory town
‘Meanwhile, on my way here to rush here we’ve got a random breath testing exercise out through the gap.
‘This place is so unsafe and ridiculous, it’s unbelievable. Meanwhile, we’ve got a crime crisis here.
‘You don’t even take someone that walks into a business with a hammer. Don’t even take him into custody.’
‘I won’t apologise for sticking up for my staff and for the people of Alice Springs, it’s become an absolute disgrace what’s happening here.
Despite violence and crime being part of Alice Springs life, the situation has worsened in the ten months since the Northern Territory Government lifted alcohol restrictions
Despite violence and crime being part of Alice Springs life, the situation has worsened in the ten months since the Northern Territory Government lifted alcohol restrictions.
The campaign by Action for Alice campaigner Darren Clarke gained national headlines, forcing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to make a flying visit and impose partial alcohol bans.
During a brief visit to the town last week, Mr Albanese announced new alcohol restrictions and promised $48.8 million over two years for programs to address the crime problem.
Measures implemented included a ban on takeaway alcohol sales on Monday and Tuesday as well as limits on bottle shop opening hours.