A man in Tennant Creek has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a child, NT Police said.

NT Police communications director Mark Wilton said in a statement officers were investigating the alleged sexual assault of the child – whose age was not given – at an unspecified time in Tennant Creek on Wednesday. It was later revealed the female child is four.

He said a report was made to police after a witness said they heard a child scream, and a man was seen running from the location.

A 52-year-old man was arrested and questioned by police on Thursday.

Police said on Friday that the man has been charged with gross indecency against a child under 10 years and aggravated assault.

The man remains in custody, police said, and will appear in Alice Springs Local Court on February 14.

CLP Member for Barkly Steve Edgington said in a Facebook post on Thursday afternoon that the Tennant Creek community was “shocked and devastated” by the alleged sexual assault of the four-year-old girl.

Mr Edgington also raised the sexual assault of a seven-year-old child back in December that the government and police media unit had failed to report to the public, but which was revealed in the media.

“Given the ongoing concerns I wrote to the Police Minister on 22 January 2024 to ask what action was being taken to ensure the safety of all other children in Tennant Creek,” he wrote.

“Sadly, the Police Minister has failed to respond to my letter and has clearly ignored the ongoing issues impacting on the safety of residents in Tennant Creek.

“Enough is enough – the Police Minister and the Chief Minister have failed the people of Tennant Creek and should hold their heads in shame!”

NOTE: This story was updated to include information about the charges.