Inside the Aussie town plagued by so much violence even cops admit their latest efforts are ‘ineffective’
A notorious remote Northern Territory town is on the brink of violent collapse after police admitted their latest attempts to quell the brawls were ‘ineffective’.
Northern Territory Police have deployed reinforcements to the under-siege town Wadeye, a remote coastal community about 420km southwest of Darwin.
Police instigated the extraordinary measures after fresh violence rocked the trouble-plagued town over the weekend.
NT Police officers have already responded to multiple reports of large disturbances blowing up on the streets since early January.
Some violent gatherings, involving children, have drawn crowds of up to 100 people.
It’s understood the handful of law-abiding citizens in the town are too frightened to leave their homes.
Footage of a white ute driving into crowds proved the final straw for police.
The video allegedly showed the ute driver accelerating rapidly up the road before suddenly veering off course and towards dozens of people.
A notorious remote Northern Territory town is on the brink of violent collapse after police admitted their latest attempts to quell the brawls were ‘ineffective’
Northern Territory Police have deployed reinforcements to the under-siege town Wadeye, a remote coastal community about 420km southwest of Darwin
The driver then appeared to lose control of the ute while driving over a small bump in the grass before colliding with a street pole.
Police confirmed on Sunday morning they had responded to large groups fighting each other with makeshift weapons such as window louvres in the previous 24 hours.
‘Attempts by police to disperse the offenders [overnight] have been ineffective, as large groups continue to reform and engage in further acts of violence and property damage,’ an NT Police spokesperson said.
Police confirmed two police cars were damaged by projectiles allegedly thrown from within the brawling crowd.
However, no injuries have yet been reported.
Police said the additional officers and resources deployed to Wadeye will ‘support local members and manage the immediate risk to community safety’.
It’s unknown how many additional officers will be deployed to the area known as one of Australia’s most dangerous towns.
NT Police acting-Commander Terry Zhang said ‘public resources could not be ‘sustainably managed’ with this ‘type of behaviour occurring’.
Some violent gatherings, involving children, have drawn crowds of up to 100 people
‘While police will continue to respond and prioritise the protection of the community, it is clear that law enforcement alone cannot address the underlying causes of these senseless acts,’ he said.
‘A collective response involving families, community leaders, and the broader community is essential to bring this behaviour to an end.
‘Ongoing behaviour of this nature places the broader community, innocent people, and essential services at serious risk and could ultimately result in the loss or disruption of critical services.’
Police previously said they ‘used mechanisms such as community-led safety plans’ and ‘our real on-the-ground relationships to work towards peaceful solutions’.
It’s understood feuding and tension between more than 20 clans are driving the persistent public violence, along with unemployment and alcohol abuse issues.
Earlier last month, a man was shot with a crossbow bolt while in Wadeye while several other buildings have been torched and ransacked.
Police said that incident was linked to a dispute which left two women with non-life-threatening injuries.
This crossbow attack occurred during consecutive days of violent unrest that ended with multiple arrests and two men thrown into custody.
NT Police officers have already responded to multiple reports of large disturbances blowing up on the streets since early January
Police also pepper-sprayed multiple people and seized various weapons following the brawls.
Violence in Wadeye escalated after a 33-year-old man was killed during a four-family feud in April 2022.
The killer Ezekiel Narndu, 19, was found guilty of manslaughter in 2023 after throwing a steel bar that pierced the skull of the victim.
Acting-Justice Graham Hiley, who sentenced Narndu, said the killer’s actions were ‘grossly negligent’.
‘While there may be a substantial risk for weapons like guns, arrows, spears and knives used at close quarters… could result in death, the same cannot be said about a steel bar with blunt ends,’ Justice Hiley said.
Justice Hiley said rocks, louvres and steel bars were commonly thrown during violent outbursts in Wadeye ‘without fatal consequences’.
However, he said Narndu ‘should have known’ his actions carried a ‘strong risk of causing serious injury’.
‘You had no regard to public safety and seemed to be motivated by hate against members of other gangs and family,’ Justice Hiley said.
NT Police acting-Commander Terry Zhang said ‘public resources could not be ‘sustainably managed’ (pictured, locals standing in front of a burning house)
The court heard it was during an attempt at mediation between four families, including the Narndus, that the violence broke out.
Narndu, then 18, picked up a steel bar about 60cm long, throwing it like a javelin in the direction of the victim, who was standing to the side of warring families.
It was believed the victim never saw the attack coming with the bar piercing 16cm through the man’s skull and knocking him unconscious immediately.
‘Sadly, this is one of the tragic consequences of ongoing conflict between gangs and family groups of Wadeye that has been going on for many years,’ Justice Hiley said.
Narndu was sentenced to seven years with a non-parole period of three years and six months.
Daily Mail contacted West Daly Regional Council and Mayor Terry Sams, who oversees Wadeye, for comment.
