NT: 300 youths brawl in Darwin; homemade bombs hit city
06 Mar 2009 1:39 PM
DARWIN, March 6 AAP - Up to 300 youths have brawled at a Darwin shopping centre and homemade bombs have been set off elsewhere in the city.
Police said the explosive devices had been made with plastic bottles filled with a mix of substances.
One of the homemade bombs was hurled at a building in the vicinity of La Grande apartments on Knuckey Street about 10.45am (CST) on Thursday.
There was a second such incident in Mitchell Street about 1.30pm.
Firefighters were called in to make the area safe and clean up the remnants.
Police are looking for four young men seen in the area at the time.
"The fire service cannot stress enough the stupidity and potential danger caused by doing these acts," police said in a statement.
"The potential loss of life, injury and property destruction far out weighs any perceived fun the offenders may find in their actions."
Less than two hours later police were called to a large disturbance at Casuarina Shopping Square.
Watch commander Gary Smith said 27 police officers were called to break up a series of fights involving up to 300 youths.
"It was certainly a disappointing incident and police are calling on parents to ensure they know what their children are up to after school finishes," he told ABC radio.
"Police will be taking a zero tolerance approach to these incidents, and we will issue trespass notices and infringement notices."
