A 12-year-old boy in Tennant Creek has been charged with assault and damage to property after allegedly spitting in the face of a police officer who was talking to him because they were concerned for his welfare, and then throwing a rock that shattered the rear windscreen of a police vehicle, NT Police said.

Acting Commander Peter Dash said that about 2am Tuesday, police found the boy wandering the streets and spoke with him because they were concerned for his welfare.

“While speaking with the boy, he allegedly spat at an officer, with the saliva striking the officer in the face,” Cmdr Dash said.

“The boy then allegedly threw a rock at the rear of a police vehicle, shattering the rear windscreen.”

Cmdr Dash said the boy was taken to Tennant Creek Police Station and charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer and two counts of property damage.

“Spitting at a police officer is disgusting and completely unacceptable. Our officers come to work to protect the community and should never be subjected to this kind of behaviour,” Cmdr Dash said.

“What is particularly disappointing is that police initially engaged with this young person because they were concerned for his welfare. That interaction resulted in an officer being spat on and a police vehicle being significantly damaged.”