A man who allegedly broke into a Coconut Grove residence and indecently assaulted a woman while she slept overnight is still at large, NT Police have warned.

Around 1am on Sunday morning, police allege the man broke into the residence in the vicinity of the Nightcliff Woolworth’s and entered a woman’s bedroom where he allegedly “indecently assaulted” her before the woman awoke and scared him off.

The NT Police media unit did not explain if anything had been stolen from the home, if the man acted alone or was part of a group, or if the suspected intent of the break and enter was the sexual assault.

In a rare Sunday evening press release, police stated that they are seeking the public’s assistance to track down the alleged offender, calling for anyone who may have seen something in the area at the time to contact them.

Police media manager Rob Cross appeared to have breached protocol by identifying the small street where the alleged incident occurred in the statement.

The NT Independent has chosen not to name it to protect the victim’s identity.

“The man is described as being Aboriginal and wearing basketball pants with no shirt, a baseball cap and curly dark hair coming out the sides,” Mr Cross said in the statement.

“Police are calling for any witnesses in the area who may have information or dash came footage in relation to the matter to contact Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Please quote reference number 9815707.”

Police media and the executive came under intense criticism earlier this year for failing to properly inform the public about sexual assaults in a timely manner. They were also criticised for not informing the public of the nature of alleged sexual assaults, choosing instead to label them as general assaults, including in instances where a reported break and enter had occurred.

The police brass previously stated that certain information could not be publicly revealed in order to protect the victim. It is unclear why the police media unit named the street where the alleged Coconut Grove assault happened in its statement.