An 11-year-old boy, and two 13-year-old boys allegedly broke into an 80-year-old woman’s home in Alice Springs, with one of them throwing a rock into her head, which required the woman to be treated in hospital, NT Police said.

The attack comes less than a week after Chief Minister Natasha Fyles and new Police Minister Brent Potter announced the government’s “summer safety plan” for Alice Springs in an attempt to reduce crime.

Last summer there was a crime surge in the town which made the national media, resulting in political pressure forcing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to make a last visit to the town, and forcing the Territory government to enact new alcohol restrictions in Aboriginal communities and town camps and further restrict alcohol sales in the town.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Marcus Becker said in a statement that about 1:20am Monday, police received reports that the three boys had broken into the house on Telegraph Terrace, Alice Springs.

He said they allegedly stole a number of small items before they were confronted by the 80-year-old woman, and one of them threw a rock at her, hitting her in the face, before they all ran off.

The woman was taken to Alice Springs Hospital and officers from Strike Force Viper, Operation Drina and the Drone Unit were deployed and the 11-year-old boy, and two 13-year-old boys were found nearby, Snr Sgt Becker said.

He said both 13-year olds remained in custody and he expected them be charged later today while the 11-year-old was “taken home to a responsible adult” and a referral made to the Territory Families Department

Part of the Fyles Government’s crime plan was that Territory Families would provide immediate and priority case management and support for young people at risk, with an additional accelerated case management team of social workers, specialist youth workers and Aboriginal community workers on call and ready to respond.

“This was a confronting, violent attack on a vulnerable member of our community and we wish her a full recovery,” Snr Sgt Becker.

Police are looking for anyone with information to call them on 131 444.