I have read a lot about crime in Alice Springs especially at night in the Todd River mall and by the dry river bed from teenagers. Has anyone felt unsafe in Alice?

I will be a female traveling alone.

Thnaks

We were in AS a couple of weeks ago and didn't really have any problems apart from a few drunks around the shopping centres and streets at night (alchohol abuse seems to be a big problem here) which made my wife a little uncomfortable. I guess the crime is no more than any other town anywhere else in the western world. The Aussie press seem to make a huge deal of even relatively small incidents(probably as a result of the low population density).

There did seem to be a greater evidence of police on the streets than at home (London). Unlike Europe or the US, the streets are virtually empty at night which, I suppose increases the risk somewhat, but just take the usual precautions and stay away from the malls and the riverbed at night.

A number of us could answer your question properly Manhattaner but unfortunately there are some Political correct Police on this site who like to point out that we should not point out the obvious as its racial profiling.

Yes there is crime and all the associated problems with alcohol and substance abuse. But it's not just in Alice Springs,you'll find the same problems wherever you travel if you were to seek it out. The key is not to engage in any conversation with innebriated Aborigines or any other itinerants. More importantly don't look them in the eye because then they will humbug and bother you. Just ignore them and you will be fine. There is no reason to feel unsafe, provided you don't wander around at night on your own, but that goes for any place you visit these days.

Alice Springs has been termed by some, the "world stabbing capital" <http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599...21,00.html>.
I would not want to wander by the Todd River Mall at night, particularly on the weekends. Nuff said?

Can't give you any recent personal experience, but when I stayed at AS in the mid 70s and at my end of the accommodation spectrum had the choice of two church run hostels, I took the cheaper ($2.50, I think it was) and returned to the male dorm only to find a drunk in my bed - a young white woman!