One of the five teens involved in ramming police vehicles with stolen cars in Katherine on Wednesday night was released on bail despite police objections just hours before the incident, the NT Independent can reveal.

The teen, 14, cannot be named under NT law, but sources familiar with the incident and the suspects told the NT Independent the teen is considered the ring leader of the group who targeted police during the reckless rampage down Katherine’s main street.

The teen, who has a long criminal history, was arrested for his alleged involvement in stealing cars earlier in the week, but granted bail by Chief Judge Elizabeth Morris on Wednesday.

NT Police had strongly urged Chief Judge Morris not to grant the bail.

Hours later, officers and their police cars were being targeted by the teen and four others who stole two vehicles and smashed them into the police cars that were parked on the side of the road.

“Thankfully, the police officers weren’t in any of the vehicles at the time of the deliberate and reckless act of ramming our police vehicles,” Deputy Police Commissioner Michael Murphy said on Thursday afternoon.

He said both stolen cars were recovered and five teens were identified as being involved, with three of those aged between 14 and 16 taken back into custody.

“One was an arrest target and the two others are on bail conditions already for property offences,” he said.

Mr Murphy added that social media had led to teens engaging in targeting police vehicles across northern Australia recently, including in the Kimberley and Townsville.

Last week, other teens in Alice Springs also rammed police cars with stolen vehicles.

Mr Murphy said he “hoped” the trend would not come to include Darwin.

“And we’ll do everything we can to try and stop it,” he said.

“I urge anyone that’s listening and any family with influence to make sure that they tell the people … it’s a really silly thing to do.”

NT Police Association president Paul McCue said the union was concerned about the safety of their officers becoming targets.

“It’s a fearful time for the police out there on the frontline,” he said.

“It is our expectation, and that of the community, that offenders who assault police face tough punishment. Our members are not the Government’s punching bags.”

Police Minister Kate Worden said the Katherine situation was being managed.

“I have every confidence that the police and Territory Families, knowing those families, are absolutely on this matter and we will see a turn-around very quickly,” she said.