An arrow has been fired at officers after they were confronted by a large group of armed men at a troubled outback community, police say.

Police vehicles in the Northern Territory were damaged after the group allegedly ignored officers’ warnings and advanced with metal bars, rocks and window louvres in what NT Police described as an “appalling display of violence”.

The men were spotted by officers moving towards Wadeye, 395 kilometres south-west of Darwin, about 5.30pm on Sunday amid ongoing unrest at the remote Indigenous community.

“A significant number of the group were observed moving through surrounding bushland in an apparent attempt to conceal their approach,” NT Police said in a statement on Monday.

Group members allegedly became hostile when they encountered the officers and began throwing projectiles.

“Police repeatedly attempted to disperse the group, warning that force may be used if they continued to advance – those directions were ignored,” police said.

“During the incident, a person armed with a compound bow allegedly fired an arrow at police, striking a police vehicle.”

Police were eventually able to disperse the group before it advanced on the community.

A police cordon was established as officers searched the surrounding area for further threats before conducting additional patrols at Wadeye.

It comes after violent confrontations at the community driven by clan rivalry.

“This was an appalling display of violence,” Superintendent Virginia Read said.

“There is absolutely no justification for this behaviour.”

Read said officers should not be subjected to “potentially deadly attacks” while doing their job.

“The fact that people continued to advance on police despite repeated directions to disperse demonstrates an alarming disregard for the safety of police, residents and the wider community,” she said.

“An arrow, rock or piece of metal directed at another person or a moving vehicle has the potential to cause catastrophic injury or death.

“Those choosing to participate in this violence need to understand the seriousness of their actions.”

Police would continue to work with community leaders to restore calm, she said.

“But those responsible for criminal behaviour will be identified, investigated and held to account.”

Additional police were sent to the community months ago amid ongoing fighting involving crossbows, spears, axes and machetes.

Many cars have been torched and police vehicles damaged during brawls, one involving more than 100 people.

Dozens have been arrested and weapons seized in the township including spears and boomerangs after a man was shot in the arm with a crossbow during a brawl in January.

The township of almost 2000 people comprises 28 clans and seven language groups living on Kardu Diminin traditional lands.

–AAP