The Territory Response Group (TRG) has been deployed to restore order in Daly River, NT Police said, after the NT Independent revealed that four guns were stolen from a car in the community on the weekend and people shot with a crossbow.

In a statement on Monday, NT Police confirmed the four guns were stolen from a Toyota Hilux on Saturday morning and that at 2am on Sunday a 21-year-old man was treated for injuries “from being struck with a crossbow bolt”.

The media unit did not inform the public about the incidents on Sunday when they held a press conference about a crime rampage over the weekend.

Police said in the statement on Monday that they were still investigating the stolen guns and other incidents, including the crossbow shooting and a house “significantly damaged” in the community.

“Daly River, Peppimenarti and Adelaide River Police continue to investigate the incidents with assistance from Strike Force Trident and TRG,” police said.

“The community’s safety remains the priority for NT Police, and local police will continue to engage with traditional owners and elders to work towards restoring calm.”

Sources familiar with the disturbances at Nauiyu said the police have downplayed the significance of the events there and should have deployed the TRG days ago.

Three arrested at Groote Eylandt: Police

NT Police also said on Monday that three men have been charged on Groote Eylandt for allegedly assaulting a couple who were camping at a remote location.

Police said the three men had weapons and significantly damaged the couple’s vehicle before assaulting them in their tent around 10:15pm on Saturday.

“Both the male and female victim received blunt force injuries and required treatment from the local clinic,” a statement said.

“The offenders were known to the victims.”

The three men were arrested the next day and charged with a number of offences, including depriving a person of their liberty, attempting to pervert the course of justice, making threats to kill a person, aggravated assault and being armed with an offensive weapon.

All three were remanded and expected to front Darwin Local Court on Tuesday.