A new police unit is being established in the Northern Territory to tackle alcohol-fuelled crime, as the government attempts to reassure the public it's devoting resources to addressing antisocial behaviour.

Key points:

· The Territory Safety Division has been formed by redeploying 10 police officers

· The police minister is promising $14 million for 50 officers next year

· The opposition says moving resources around won't fix crime problems

Ten officers have been moved from other positions within NT Police to form the Territory Safety Division (TSD), with no new officers to be recruited until next year.

"This team is an important part of making sure we stop crime before it happens," Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said.

The unit will be based in Darwin and travel to other communities when problems arise.

Police Minister Brent Potter said the government had committed to paying for 50 extra officers for the TSD next year, although it hadn't yet been properly costed.

"It's about $290,000 per police officer and we're funding an addition of 50," he said.

 

Brent Potter has made a commitment of 50 extra officers next year.(ABC News: Pete Garnish)

NT deputy opposition leader Gerard Maley said it appeared the government had made a knee-jerk announcement about the new unit before having the resources to man or fund it.

"They're making these ad hoc announcements without the funding, just to try to make Territorians happy," he said.

Mr Potter said Police Commissioner Michael Murphy's plea for 200 extra officers was on hold until a government-commissioned review of the force's resources released its report.

"I will support the police review and whatever recommendations that come from this," Mr Potter said.

At the moment, NT Police are responding to crime concerns and spikes by moving its existing resources around the territory.

Mr Maley said decisions like sending 50 officers to Alice Springs for Christmas were leaving other areas short.

"We know there was at least nine officers from the [Darwin] traffic unit [that] have gone down to Alice Springs to cover for that," he said.

 

Gerard Maley says the CLP plans to report the alleged conflict of interest to ICAC.(ABC News: Peter Garnish)

Other communities also feel vulnerable.

"With the level of crime here, the police are overworked, they're overstretched," Tennant Creek traditional owner and community leader John Fitz Jakamarra said.

The government is not conceding crime could lose it next year's election, but that it needs to do better in tackling it.

"I know that crime and antisocial behaviour is one of the biggest issues facing Territorians, but let's be clear, the CLP don't have any answers," Ms Fyles said.

Mr Maley said: "It's up to Territorians to decide that in August next year."