Police are asking for public assistance to identify the people responsible for smashing the windows of up to 20 vehicles parked at an apartment complex on Gap Road overnight.

Police said the incident, which occurred around 4am, is still under investigation and that no arrests had been made. The latest senseless crime has caused more young families to consider leaving Alice Springs for good, a local MLA said.

Police attended the scene at the time and returned later in the day to speak with the car owners.

It is suspected that four or five people were involved in the crime.

“The widespread criminal damage involving the smashing of all windows on these vehicles is a deplorable act that not only inflicts financial harm on the victims, but also disrupts the ability of these people going about their day,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Budge.

“We are urging anyone who has information on this incident or who may have witnessed it to come forward and make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference P24017448.”

Opposition CLP MLA Josh Burgoyne said he had spoken to some of the residents, including one of the victims who worked at the Alice Springs Hospital. He said the windows were smashed “for no good reason” other than to cause damage and that the cars had not been entered.

“It beggars belief that this is happening in our community,” he said. “That people have told me that they leave their vehicles open (unlocked) so that their windows aren’t smashed is another shocking indictment on what is happening in our community.

“A lot of these people with young families are now seriously weighing up their futures here in Alice Springs.”

Mr Burgoyne added that “everyone in the community is being affected by crime” and that people are “frustrated that not enough is being done to combat the crime” which will lead to more people leaving.

Police are also investigating four robbery incidents in the Braitling area over the last 24 hours.

Two of the incidents are still not being attended as they are still in their “infancy”, police said.

One of the incidents that police attended was reported at 5:40 pm on Wednesday, where cash and small items were stolen. Police could not confirm when the second incident was reported.

Police said they are currently reviewing CCTV footage to try and identify the offenders.