Two men in their 20s have been charged for allegedly throwing an axe at two police officers in Nauiyu on Sunday, as the community descended into chaos over the weekend with armed men driving dangerously around the community in stolen vehicles.

NT Police said the two men, aged 24 and 25, were arrested on Monday and that the serious incidents reported in the community had begun to dwindle.

Police said on Monday that the two officers had responded to calls for assistance from Nauiyu but upon arrival had an axe thrown at their vehicle, smashing a window and causing injury with broken glass, while one officer had his arm cut by the axe.

They said then that additional officers had been deployed to the community to restore order.

The Catholic school in Daly River was also forced to close as violence escalated.

On Thursday afternoon, Commander Kylie Anderson said “serious incidents’ have been down throughout the week and that police had worked with the community to locate the alleged axe assailants.

“With the valuable assistance of local residents, police have identified a third offender and efforts are currently underway to locate them,” she said.

“NT Police are continuing to work closely with community members in an effort to maintain calm. Since the arrests of these two men there have no further reports of any serious incidents within Nauiyu Community.”

The two men were charged with aggravated assault, being armed with an offensive weapon at night, endangering occupants of a vehicle and recklessly endangering serious harm.

Both were bailed to appear in local court on March 8.