An alleged attack on police in Alice Springs, which was filmed and has been widely shared on social media, has been widely condemned.
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Northern Territory Police Association president Paul McCue said the alleged attack itself was abhorrent, but the fact a group of onlookers stood around laughing, cheering and filming the incident, before uploading it to social media - was "absolutely disgusting".
"Our members were attempting to arrest a 14-year-old girl for breach of bail, when they were viciously attacked," Mr McCue claimed.
"A female officer suffered bruising to her face after she was punched several times and dragged along the ground by her hair.
"She was also scratched and bitten during the assault, while the male officer was spat on.
"This was a shocking, savage attack and a clear message needs to be sent that this type of violent behaviour will not be tolerated by the community."
The teen girl has been arrested and charged.
Police said the incident occurred just after 5pm on Tuesday, when the girl was located after breaching her bail conditions.
During the arrest it is alleged the youth continued to physically assault the attending two officers and additional police were called.
When attempting to safely take the youth into custody she continued to physically assault the officers, including by kicking, hitting, biting and spitting.
The youth was taken to the Alice Springs Watch house and later charged with one count of Resist arrest and four counts of Assault Police Officer.
Alice Springs Superintendent Brett Prowse said the actions of the female youth towards officers was completely unacceptable.
"The violence directed at police was unprovoked, without warning and of high and prolonged intensity. To kick and spit on officers will never be acceptable," Supt Prowse said.
"Despite being attacked, the responding police officers remained composed, professional and measured in their approach. I want to acknowledge these officers and their peers, who continue working tirelessly to keep all Territorians safe 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."
The 14-year-old was remanded in custody to appear before court at a later date.
Mr McCue said the police association would continue to lobby government for harsher penalties for our frontline workers.
"They are not employed to be the public's punching bag."
"At a time when police are completely under resourced, trying to protect the community from a pandemic, working extreme hours in extreme conditions, we see complete disregard for their authority in that video," he said.
"The community as a whole should be as outraged as we are."
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