NT Police have launched a 10-week operation to address “likely increased activity” in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine – presumably criminal activity – over the school holiday period with the new operation set to run until early February.

Police are calling it Operation Ludlow II, which will involve increased “police engagement and high-visibility patrols” supported by a number of different units, including road policing, dog operations, the mounted unit, the Fugitive Taskforce, Strike Force Viper and a “dedicated drone capability”.

Police will also be utilising ATVs, bicycles, motorbikes, foot and vehicle patrols, a statement said.

“Operation Ludlow II will target antisocial behaviour and alcohol-related offending, youth offending and property crime,” said Acting Superintendent Terry Simpson.

“We are building upon the success of last year’s Operation Ludlow and have been planning for months to improve for the sequel.

“The public can expect to see high-visibility patrols, officers engaging with the community, visiting businesses, and patrolling the CBD and surrounding suburbs.

“We encourage our community members and visitors to stop our police officers for a chat, as the officers are there to serve and protect the community.”

The new operation follows the NT Government’s “upgraded safety blitz” in Darwin and Palmerston announced late last month, that will see more private security services used to extend patrol hours ahead of Christmas to crackdown on anti-social behaviour and alcohol-fuelled violence.

In Katherine, Strike Force Cerberus will continue to target recidivist offenders over the Christmas period, Act Supt Simpson said, while the Safer Streets Patrol will deliver “proactive, highly visible patrols supporting frontline general duties officers in Tennant Creek.

“Local Tennant Creek police will be able call upon specialist support to deploy to the region to enhance their capacity if required,” he said.

He added Katherine police will also work closely with liquor licencing inspectors and the Kalano Community Patrol.

The Department of Children and Families’ engagement officers, public housing safety officers, Lhere Artepe Traditional Owner Patrol Groups and Tangentyere Council Night Patrol will also work in collaboration with NT Police in Alice Springs.