A traumatised elderly woman has become the latest victim of Alice Springs’ rock-throwing scourge after having her home and car bombarded by flying missiles last weekend, NT Police have said.

Northern Territory Police Assistant Commissioner Narelle Beer, said in a statement, two youths threw a series of rocks at the 79-year-old’s Nelson Terrace property just before 6am on Saturday, leaving her deeply distressed.

The woman’s son posted photos of the damage to Facebook and described the fear she felt.

“(Three) youths jumped her fence and threw rocks at her windows continuously destroying every window,” he wrote. “She was paralysed with fear and couldn’t use her phone to call for help. Thankfully her wonderful neighbours heard the noise and interrupted the attack and attempted entry to her home.”

Assist Commissioner Narelle Beer said she was disgusted by the behaviour of the youths.

“At a time when we’re pleading for people to stay safe in their own homes, the conduct of these individuals to traumatize a vulnerable person is a despicable act,” she said.

Police are calling for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or was in the area of Nelson Terrace / Blain Street early on Saturday morning, to contact them on 131 444.

The event is the latest in a long line of rock-throwing incidents which have plagued Alice Springs for the last decade.

Ambulance and police officers, taxi drivers and other motorists are commonly targeted by rock-throwers in the town, with incidents of drivers receiving serious head injuries and sleeping babies being showered with glass among the brazen attacks.

NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker confirmed there had been recent reports of rocks thrown at a St John Ambulance and a taxi.

“Frontline responders are leading the way to ensure the safety of people and to save lives,” he said.

“We have no time for ignorance.”

The Central Australian capital’s vast mountain ranges make the perfect location to source rocks and launch attacks, which are mostly carried out by young offenders. 

Last week, a police vehicle received damage from a number of rocks after attending a disturbance at Hidden Valley Town Camp.

On December 7, three youths were apprehended for targeting cars on the Stott Terrace bridge, with officers also attacked with rocks when they arrived on the scene.

In mid-November a gang of at least 13 kids were caught on CCTV walking around Railway Terrace throwing rocks at businesses, with one establishment receiving nine cracked windows alone.

A taxi driver had a lucky escape after a rock, thrown from Anzac Hill, was embedded in the windscreen right in front of the steering wheel last June.

In March 2019, a man was injured when a rock shattered the front windscreen of his car and female motorcyclist was also struck on the leg in the same night. Nine youths were caught by police near the Stuart Highway and taken into custody, with six of them aged under 10.

Superintendent Pauline Vicary said parents and carers needed to ensure their children were being supervised at all times. 

“These children should have been at home with their families,” she said.

“Children don’t realise the significant impact their actions have upon these victims. We need them to know this kind of behaviour is dangerous, careless and simply not acceptable.”