A man who was involved in attempted axe attacks on shoppers is on the run, while a police officer suffered a serious puncture wound on her arm after attempting to arrest him and another man involved in the violent shopping centre incident, NT Police said.

In a poorly worded statement released by NT Government crime marketing manager Sita Bacher, Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Day is cited as saying that about 7:15pm on Thursday, police received reports that a man armed with an axe was threatening and attempting to assault people, outside the Karama Shopping Centre in Kalymnos Drive.

However he then said police found two men believed to be involved in the incident, on Koolinda Crescent, Karama, at an unspecified time after.

Police did not explain how the other man was alleged to be involved in the attempted axe attacks.

“One of the men became aggressive and during his arrest, whilst wearing an armband covered in sharp objects, pierced the forearm of the arresting officer,” he said.

Snr Sgt Day said the female officer was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital with a serious puncture wound to her arm but said no one was harmed in the incident with the axe.

Police said they found the axe and other weapons in a 38-year-old man’s bag with the alleged offender in custody and expected to be charged on Friday.

Snr Sgt Day did not specify which of the men was arrested, or that the other man escaped, or how he did so, while also not providing a description of the man on the run or any warnings to the public about him.

“The quick response from attending members and the dedicated work of our CCTV operators has resulted in a violent offender off the streets before he could injure a member of the public,” Snr Sgt Day said.

“Unfortunately, one of our members has been injured as a result. Every day, seven days a week, our frontline attend incidents that have the potential to become incredibly dangerous.

“I commend the actions of the officer, who without hesitation apprehended a dangerous offender and undoubtedly prevented additional assaults.

“The actions of this individual were violent, dangerous and completely unacceptable.”

Police are asking anyone who witnessed any of what has been described to call them on 131 444. Or people can report it anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.