The Opposition CLP have written to the Prime Minister to request federal assistance to restore order to Alice Springs, citing a national emergency and a “city under attack by violent and life-threatening offenders” that is so under siege residents “cannot even get our groceries”.

The Opposition’s letter follows Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson’s request earlier this week for federal assistance to combat the ongoing crime crisis facing the community including youth property crime, alcohol-fuelled violence, sexual assaults in the streets in broad daylight and an upswing in violent home invasions that has seen people assaulted in their homes.

“Our city is under attack by violent and life-threatening offenders committing crimes all through the day and night,” the CLP’s letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

“A city under siege, we cannot even get our groceries. Our supermarkets are in lockdown. Our streets and civic buildings have been trashed. We cannot continue like this. Our residents are fleeing.

“The police are doing the best they can but are severely under-resourced.”

In November, NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker established a police operation named “Drina” in response to escalating crime rates in Alice Springs, involving up to 40 extra officers at one stage following the CBD being shut down twice in as many weeks as cars were stolen and police officers targeted in rampages.

Mr Chalker said the crackdown had resulted in more than 300 arrests, but the Mayor said the operation has not addressed the fundamental problems facing the town.

“We need more boots on the ground every single day of the year at this stage, until this is addressed,” Mr Paterson told the ABC this week.

“It’s happening every single day, it’s a slow burn here, and we need help.

“So, whether that is the AFP, whether that is the army, or whether that is just resources from another jurisdiction, we need them in Alice Springs now.”

However, Mr Chalker told the ABC that his operation is working and rejected the need for any federal involvement.

“These are social issues that we need to work [through] together,” he said, adding that “a jackboots approach” is not an appropriate way of dealing with the town’s problems.

Police Minister Kate Worden also rejected the Mayor’s and CLP’s call for federal reinforcements.

“We’re not going to change people’s behaviour, as the Commissioner said, by simply arresting and locking people up,” she said, adding that alcohol misuse was a contributing factor to the recent crime surge.

Aboriginal organisations and citizens have repeatedly said the lifting of federal grog bans has directly affected crime rates, but Ms Worden offered no commitment to address those concerns.

“The Territory Labor Government has failed in its duty to keep us safe so we’re asking for [federal assistance],” CLP Member for Namatjira said.

“The crime catastrophe in Alice Springs is a threat to lives and livelihoods. Our town is under attack. Our police are doing the best they can but are severely under-resourced.”

The CLP has also started a petition to support Mr Paterson’s and the Alice Springs community’s calls for federal assistance that can be signed at www.savealice.com.au.

“We can’t sleep, work, live or even get our groceries so we are asking all residents, across the Northern Territory, to add their support to the petition,” Mr Yan said, likening the current situation to a national emergency such as “when lives are at risk in flood, fire and during the COVID pandemic”.