A 19-year-old Tennant Creek man has been arrested for allegedly attempting to abduct a child while she slept in her bed over the weekend.

Police said at 12:30 am on Sunday morning, the male allegedly removed the sleeping nine-year-old girl form her home on Scheelite Crescent where he had been “socialising” earlier in the night.

“The child woke outside of a nearby unit complex, screamed at the male and ran home,” police said in a statement. “Family immediately notified police.”

Police reported the girl was not physically harmed and support services have been arranged.

The male was taken to Tennant Creek Watch House where he remains in custody. Detectives from Tennant Creek continue their investigation, police said.

The man is yet to be formally charged.