Man Injured by 3-Pronged Spear in Northern Territory Unrest

A man has been struck with a three-pronged spear in a remote community disturbance involving about 100 people, police say.

A vehicle was also set alight after allegedly being surrounded by an armed group in the latest incident at the troubled township of Wadeye, 395 kilometres southwest of Darwin.

The 22-year-old man suffered serious injuries after being struck in the back by the spear during the disturbance between two family groups on Monday night, police said.

Officers responded to reports of unrest involving people allegedly armed with weapons including compound bows, spears, and metal objects about 11.45 p.m.

Police entered a residence and safely extracted the injured man, taking him to the Wadeye Health Clinic for treatment.

“A vehicle located near the rear of a residential property was also set alight after allegedly being surrounded by members of one of the groups,” a police statement said.

“Additional officers were recalled to duty to assist with the response and restore order.”

It comes just days after 13 people were charged following a string of incidents at the community.

Ten men and three women aged 19 to 45 were remanded in custody on Saturday after a police crackdown.

A small group of people were accused of continuing to “inflict fear and disruption” in the remote township, prompting an increased police presence at Wadeye.

Police said they were “fed up” with the violence after 13 people were charged with a total of more than 50 offences.

They include recklessly endangering life, taking part in a riot, arson, going armed in public and theft.

There had been a number of incidents since early August involving fighting, weapon use, deliberately lit fires, home and vehicle damage, aggravated burglaries and dangerous driving, police said.

By Laine Clark in Brisbane.