A man has been hospitalised with serious injuries after allegedly being stabbed in a car park in the Alice Springs CBD, with police searching for three suspects.
Police said officers responded to reports of a disturbance in the car park of the town's Coles supermarket, on Gregory Terrace, about 2am on Wednesday morning.
"Upon arrival, police located a man who was allegedly assaulted with edged weapons to his upper body," NT Police said in a statement.
Police believe three people were involved in the alleged assaults but no arrests had been made as of Wednesday afternoon.
The man was taken to Alice Springs Hospital with serious injuries.
NT Health said the man was being assessed at the Alice Springs Hospital emergency department.
A crime scene was set up and officers were reviewing CCTV footage of the area.
Police claim successes in crime crackdown
The incident comes as Alice Springs police defend their response to rising levels of crime in the town, which have been increasing for at least the past five years.
Police launched Operation Drina in November last year after a series of serious incidents, including young people driving head-on at police cars and going on sprees in the CBD.
Last week the Northern Territory's Country Liberal Party opposition said last week the crime crackdown was "failing", after multiple violent home invasions in the town so far this year.
In a statement released today, Commander Matt Hollamby claimed Operation Drina had made a positive impact through high-visibility patrols and "proactive engagement" with the community.
"Operation Drina has enabled a targeted approach to crime and anti-social behaviour in the CBD which includes working closely with other government stakeholders and police operational units such as Strike Force Viper and the Dog Operations Unit," Commander Hollamby said.
NT Police said in the six weeks since the operation began:
- 237 arrests were made
- 1386 litres of liquor was seized and destroyed
- 168 people were taken into protective custody
- 97 people were given notices to appear in court
- 278 traffic fines were issued
- 101 summary infringement notices were issued
- 54 banning notices were issued from the Alice Springs Liquor Act declared area
