A mother and daughter police officers are struggling to recover from the brutal attack that plunged Alice Springs into a three-night curfew, their family has revealed.
Chris Hopper’s wife Jenny and daughter Charlee were among four off-duty officers returning to their hotel early Sunday morning when they were allegedly attacked by a group of 20 men.
Mr Hopper, a former Queensland police officer, said he felt “helpless”, “powerless” and “horrified” when he heard what had happened to his loved ones, who had only been in the outback town for a week.
Her daughter Charlee was punched in the face by “at least six adult offenders” and repeatedly kicked to the ground and stamped on the head before her mobile phone was stolen.
He was left with a broken nose and facial injuries that extended to his jaws and teeth.
“She’s having trouble eating right now and they’re both having trouble sleeping,” Hopper said. The courier mail.
His wife Jenny had her glasses knocked off her face as she tried to free her handbag after the attackers snatched it from her.
‘The attackers grabbed my wife by the hair and then threatened her with a large stone as if they wanted to hit her in the face.’ Mr. Hopper said:
Police officers Charlee (pictured left) and Jenny Hopper were assaulted in Alice Springs while off duty.
‘She also has some superficial wounds on her face, but Charlee was the one who suffered the worst of it.’
In addition to the mobile phone and handbag, a diamond ring was stolen.
The couple and two other colleagues were walking back to their hotel from the Epilogue Bar when they were startled to see a group of 20 men running towards them, giving them no time to react.
The officer did his best to protect the three women, but was unable to prevent the attacks.
Jenny and Charlee have been granted leave from work and Mr Hopper plans to fly to Alice Springs to join them.
They will then head to Darwin for Charlee to continue her treatment.
Chris (pictured right) and Jenny Hopper (pictured center) at their daughter Charlee’s police graduation
Meanwhile, Mr Hopper called for tougher reforms to the Northern Territory’s Youth Justice Act to give police officers more powers to deal with young offenders.
Having lived in Alice Springs for the past three years, his “contacts there” assured him that the indigenous community “is absolutely shocked by what has happened” and feels a deep sense of shame.
Mr Hopper did not think his loved ones and colleagues were targeted because of their work, as they were not wearing uniforms at the time.
“It was an opportunistic attack, it could have been anyone, but it shows how far the situation there can get out of control,” he said.
The attack on the officers was part of a series of recent incidents that prompted a sudden three-night curfew in Alice Springs, which is set to end at 6am on Thursday.
The city’s CBD has been closed between 10pm and 6am and neither adults nor children are allowed on the streets during those hours.
Despite draconian measures, a deadly fight broke out outside Coles on Wednesday.
Police were called to the scene around 1:15 p.m. after “multiple reports of a large group fighting with multiple weapons.”
A fight broke out in Alice on Wednesday, in which several weapons were used, to the surprise of passers-by.
Police confiscated hunting sticks, spears, a baseball bat and a machete.
Two women aged 17 and 19 and three men were arrested.
No serious injuries were reported.
“The crowd has been dispersed and there is no threat to public safety,” police said.
‘It is believed that the incident involved family groups who knew each other.’
Those arrested are expected to be charged with “various crimes,” including disturbing public order and carrying weapons.
“I commend the work of our police in responding to the incident quickly and apprehending the offenders,” Acting South Commander Drew Slape said of the incident.
“This type of violent criminal conduct has no place in our community. We will continue to take action against individuals who engage in this type of reprehensible behavior.”
Darren Clark, a local business owner who runs the Action for Alice social media accounts documenting criminal and anti-social behaviour in the town, said there had been no news on whether the curfew would be extended beyond Thursday.
However, he told the Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday night that he believed it would be extended.
Northern Territory Police Commissioner Michael Murphy declared a three-night curfew on Monday, the second time this year the troubled city has come under such draconian measures.
A three-week curfew was imposed over the Easter period after an angry mob took to the streets.