A woman in her 40s was struck in the head by a wooden sculpture while working at an Alice Springs art gallery on Wednesday afternoon, NT Police said, after a woman entered the shop and damaged several items.

Police said the woman entered the gallery in the Todd Mall around 2:55pm and began damaging property before allegedly throwing the wooden sculpture at the employee and hitting her in the head after she was asked to leave.

The 52-year-old woman then allegedly continued to damage items in the gallery, including smashing the large window, before fleeing the scene on foot, police said.

She was located and arrested around 9:25pm on South Terrace, police said in a statement, and is now facing four charges, including assaulting a worker, damage to property, being armed with an offensive weapon and trespassing.

The woman was remanded in custody and was scheduled to appear in Alice Springs Local Court on Thursday.

Police said the victim suffered swelling to the head following the incident.

“Police urge anyone with information to make contact on 131 444,” police said in the statement. “Please quote reference number NTP2500112622. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.”