A 50-year-old woman has been arrested and will appear in court today on child abduction charges related to the disappearance of five-year-old Grace Hughes who went missing along with her mother last week, NT Police said.

It’s understood the arrest of the woman involved a raid on the her home on Friday night that failed to locate the girl and her mother, 34-year-old Laura Hinks, aka Laura Bolt.

NT Police said in a statement they are continuing to search for Grace and Ms Hinks after they went missing last Sunday from the Berrimah area. Police had previously said Grace was taken by Ms Hinks without permission during a supervised parental visit in the area on August 7.

Five-year-old Grace Hughes has been missing since Sunday August 7.

“Whatever issues that are preventing her return, should and could be dealt with in appropriate ways,” said Detective Superintendent Kirsten Engels.

“Taking Grace in this manner is not appropriate and we know that there will be people in the community that will be able to assist us.

“Our primary concern is the safety and wellbeing of Grace, knowing that this would’ve been a very traumatic event, being removed from this meeting, and separated from her siblings.”

The 50-year-old woman was taken to the Palmerston watch house on Friday night and has been charged with one count of abducting a child under 16 and one count of attempted abduction of a child.

“Police will allege the woman was involved in Grace’s abduction and she is refusing to provide information that may help locate the girl and her mother,” a statement from police said.

“Police will use all resources necessary to locate Grace.

“We urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Please quote reference 10082521.”