The Territory Labor Government has today announced that Talice Security Services has won the contract to provide a security patrol service in the Alice Springs CBD.

Talice Security currently provide the existing security patrol service for the Alice Springs CBD. The new contract is for 12 months, with a contract extension up to three years.

The patrol service includes two security officers who will work to deter crime and anti-social behaviour each night between 10pm and 5am. The security officers will connect with Police each night for guidance on where to focus security patrols.

As part of the new contract, the two-person team will include an Aboriginal Security Officer that can speak a local language. In the event that the Aboriginal Security Officer is not available, an Aboriginal Liaison Officer will work alongside the two officers.

The creation of these two new positions is part of Talice Security’s ongoing commitment to Aboriginal employment as well as ensuring that engagement on the frontline is culturally respectful. Talice Security will also create an Advisory Committee of local Aboriginal people to assist in building an Aboriginal employment environment that respects Aboriginal culture and values.

A dedicated and effective Alice Springs CBD security patrol service is part of a comprehensive suite of measures to cut crime, youth crime and anti-social behaviour. This includes the Breaking the Cycle of youth crime in Alice Springs plan. 

Breaking the Cycle plan includes seven initiatives:

• Appoint seven Youth Engagement Night Officers (YENOs) to work seven days a week from 8pm-3am with young people who are on the street (and regularly involved in crime) and get them on a better path. YENOs will support NT Police, Territory Families and non-government youth services. A trial of the new service was conducted during the Easter school holidays. (In effect 28 June)
• Expand the youth drop-in centres.  Gap Youth and Community Centre and Tangentyere Council Brown Street now operate seven (up from five) days per week and have extended their bus services.  (Already in effect)
• Expand the hours of the Tangentyere Night Patrol to get young people off the streets. Patrol vehicles will run seven nights a week from 6pm-3am. (Already in effect)
• Two School Engagement Officers to work with young people who have been identified as being disengaged from schooling. These officers have been appointed. (Already in effect)
• Three School Compliance Officers to work with young people when attempts to increase school attendance has not been successful. These officers have been appointed. (Already in effect)
• More mobile CCTV cameras in anti-social behaviour hotspots. (In effect 31 May)
• Create an Aboriginal-led Youth Outreach Service. A team of senior, respected Aboriginal outreach workers will provide advice and support to youth engagement officers and mentor Aboriginal youth, drawing on the cultural authority of the Tangentyere Council Men’s Four Corners Group and Tangentyere Women’s Family Safety Group. (In effect 1 July)

Quotes from Minister for Territory Families, Dale Wakefield

“The Territory Labor Government is listening to Territorians who have had enough of youth crime and anti-social behaviour. We have put in place a comprehensive suite of measures that gives us a better chance at breaking the cycle of youth crime by targeting at-risk young people before they commit a crime, as well as consequences for unacceptable behaviour.

“Having a dedicated and effective Alice Springs CBD security patrol is essential for a safer community. Talice Security has an in-depth knowledge of local issues and a strong relationship with local Police and NGOs.

“Talice Security is also the longest operating security company in the Territory and is a local Alice Springs family-based business, with a locally based control room. I applaud them in their ongoing commitment to Aboriginal employment and also ensuring that their security service is culturally respectful.”

Quotes from Director of Talice Security Service, Tom Turnbull

"Talice Security is committed to providing a holistic response to security for our clients.  Working closely with Territory Families, NT Police, Tangentyere Night Patrol, extending the suite of security services through the provision of an Aboriginal advisory council all contribute to this response.

"Talice Security is proud to identify with being the first security service in Alice Springs to provide an Aboriginal Security Officer, or an Aboriginal Liaison Officer, both of whom will be utilising their cultural knowledge and language, as part of the CBD Patrol.

"Talice Security is proudly Territorian and family owned.  We commit our support to the 'Breaking the Cycle' plan, to working in partnership with the NTG and NGO's, more particularly though, to ensuring we do all we can to contribute to making Alice Springs a safer community for all."     

Media contact

Paige Nguyen
M: 0428 727 244
E: paige.nguyen@nt.gov.au