Four arrested over violent brawl that put man in critical condition

Northern Territory Police have arrested four people over an alleged violent attack in Darwin's northern suburbs that left a 30-year-old Wadeye man in a critical condition with skull fractures and serious injuries to his face and legs.

Police say about 30 people got off a bus in Nightcliff, in Darwin's northern suburbs, and became involved in a large fight on Monday afternoon.

Officers allege some of those involved were carrying weapons, including poles, rocks and axes.

The ABC understands many of those allegedly involved were from the remote community of Wadeye, about 500 kilometres south-west of Darwin, where there have been recent outbreaks of violence and unrest. 

Police say the 30-year-old was allegedly knocked to the ground and repeatedly assaulted by multiple people.

Police have since arrested and charged a 17-year-old girl from Wadeye with intending to cause serious harm.

Three men from Wadeye, aged 21, 29 and 43, have also been arrested. All four remain in custody.

A witness, who did not want to be named, said he was left in shock after seeing the altercation unfold from a nearby Salvos Opportunity Shop, where staff put the store into lockdown. 

"It was pretty confronting to see such violence … and to feel a little bit unsafe in a suburban shopping centre," he said.

Police responding to unrest in Wadeye

On Thursday morning, Acting Superintendent Josh Cunningham said Wadeye was experiencing a "heightened" period of unrest.

Earlier in the week, up to about 100 people were involved in a disturbance allegedly armed with compound bows, spears and metal objects.

A 22-year-old man suffered serious injuries after allegedly being struck in the back with a three-pronged spear.

Acting Superintendent Cunningham said additional police from the Territory Safety Division were sent to the community earlier last week.

"They had some early indications of some unrest and often that is heightened by the supply of alcohol, drugs and weapons getting out there," he said.

"We sent out four members to stop as much traffic and engage with the community."

He said during a four-day blitz in the community — where alcohol is banned but "grog running" has remained a persistent problem — officers seized 107 litres of alcohol and half a kilogram of cannabis.

Superintendent Cunningham said additional police were still in Wadeye trying to restore calm.

"There is a heightened level of police out there to make sure the unrest and any issues [that] may eventuate can be resolved in a timely manner and to make sure all the members that work there full time are also supported," he said.