Three girls, aged 11, 13, and 15-years old, have been arrested after they assaulted two women, stole a handbag, and attempted to steal a car in Darwin city on Tuesday afternoon, NT Police said.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew Kren said in a statement the girls were arrested after the assault on the two women in Austin Lane in Darwin city yesterday afternoon.

He said a 21-year-old woman was returning to her vehicle at an unspecified time when she was approached by the group, who allegedly assaulted her before unsuccessfully trying to steal her car.

“The group stole her handbag and continued walking when they approached a second woman, aged 55, and allegedly assaulted her,” he said.

Snr Sgt Kren said someone nearby came to help the second woman, while the girls left the city on a bus, which police tracked to Casuarina and arrested all three alleged offenders, aged 11, 13 and 15-years old.

Police did not say if the women were injured.

“There were several witnesses to the assaults, and police would like to speak with them if they haven’t already made contact,” he said.

“This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and should not be occurring to members of our community.”

Police would like anyone who were witnesses to call police on 131 444.