Arabic version: الشرطة تزعم وقوع اشتباك مسلح في واديي

According to ABC News, Northern Territory Police said officers used pepper spray after they were allegedly attacked by a large group of armed men in Wadeye at about 5.30pm yesterday.

Police alleged the group, seen moving through bushland around the remote Top End community, threw rocks, window louvres and metal bars at officers. One person armed with a compound bow allegedly fired an arrow that struck a police car, police said.

A police spokesperson said officers used OC spray to disperse the group after repeated warnings that force could be used if they continued to advance were ignored. No police officers were injured.

Superintendent Virginia Read called the incident “an appalling display of violence” and said an arrow, rock or metal directed at a person or moving vehicle could cause catastrophic injury or death. Police said the incident was the fifth reported episode of unrest in Wadeye, about 400 kilometres south-west of Darwin, in less than a fortnight.

Police have linked the recent unrest to the August 1 death of a 58-year-old man, which they found was not suspicious. No arrests have been made over the latest incident. Investigations are continuing, and police said identified offenders would be prosecuted.