Seven people have been charged by Territory Police after "chemicals, rocks and punches" were allegedly thrown at officers during Darwin protests on Saturday afternoon.
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Police were conducting Chief Health Officer compliance check points around Darwin when, during the course of the day, a large group of protestors gathered at Bundilla Lake.
The group began to walk towards one of the check points at the intersection of Goyder Road and East Point Road.
A small number of people refused to engage with police and used violence towards officers, police said
Seven people were arrested at the scene and later charged with offences including:
- Aggravated assault
- Assault police
- Riotous behaviour
- Failing to abide by CHO Directions
Another two men were arrested on Saturday evening after they went to the Darwin Police Station.
All were bailed to appear in court at a later date.
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"This behaviour was nothing short of disgraceful," Superintendent Daniel Shean said.
"Our officers have had chemicals, rocks and punches thrown at them in the course of enforcing the CHO Directions.
"These directions are designed to keep the community safe and officers should be able to go about their duties safely.
"The NT Police will continue to ensure compliance with the CHO Directions and will be conducting further investigations to identify the individuals who behaved violently towards officers."
Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker said that the officers on the front line on Saturday "did the Territory proud".
"Yesterday I was so disappointed that a very small number of the public chose to cause you harm," he said during a COVID-19 briefing on Sunday.
In a pointed reference to disruptive influences at the protest, Mr Chalker said that police resources had "far better things to do than babysitting your poor behaviour and your poor choices".
Police were looking at footage from the protest and would be "coming for" those who had attacked officers, Mr Chalker said.
Investigations into the incident are continuing and it is anticipated that further infringements and potentially more arrests will occur, police said.
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