Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says people have expressed their anger over the death of a five-year-old girl, but he called on the Alice Springs community to come together.

Violence erupted on Thursday night when Jefferson Lewis, 47, was arrested over the suspected kidnapping and murder of Kumanjayi Little Baby.

An angry crowd attacked Lewis and then tried to storm Alice Springs Hospital where he was taken after his arrest, demanding “payback” justice.

Northern Territory Police Commission Martin Dole said police had found Lewis unconscious after he was subjected to a “sustained attack”.

He was being treated by St John’s Ambulance when the paramedics and police officers on the scene were “set upon” by the angry crowd.

Lewis was later flown to Darwin for safety reasons when riots erupted outside the hospital.

“He has been given a ‘fit for custody’ and has been released from Northern Territory Health and he is now with NT Police in our custody,” said Dole on Friday.

“His injuries are not significant enough to keep him in hospital.”

Police had called on all the resources available to contain the violence following Lewis’ arrest, Dole said on Friday.

He said rioters would face the law “just as Jefferson Lewis is facing the law”.

The violence triggered a ban on takeaway alcohol in Alice Springs on Friday and sales will be limited on Saturday as authorities attempt to quell the unrest.

Dole appealed for calm and strong leadership to ensure the behaviour was an aberration, not a pattern.

“The behaviour that we saw last night cannot be explained away, excused or accepted — there is absolutely no excuse for violence against emergency services that are just doing their job.”

Albanese said the community was “hurting” and needed to come together.

“We certainly understand people’s anger and frustration and that was expressed, but we need the community to come together,” he said.

Police say Jefferson Lewis was staying at the girl’s Alice Springs home when she disappeared. Photo: AAP

Lewis was arrested on Thursday night hours after the discovery of a child’s body about 5km from where a girl disappeared near Alice Springs on Saturday night.

The discovery followed an intense five-day search for the missing five-year-old, now referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby at her family’s request, in line with cultural traditions.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro backed police, saying while the community is angry and grieving, “there is never an excuse or an acceptability of violence as a response”.

She says she does not want the riots to overshadow what she called an “incredible community effort”, with hundreds of people walking “shoulder to shoulder” in the search for the missing girl.

Alcohol sales on Sunday will remain highly restricted and Monday and Tuesday will continue as “grog‑free” days in a bid to support the community and reduce pressure on frontline workers.

Tensions erupted after Lewis was found at a town camp at about 10.30pm on Thursday when he identified himself to people there, the commissioner said.

He was beaten by vigilantes and unconscious when police arrived to arrest him and were also attacked with about 200 people turning on emergency services.

After being taken to hospital about 400 angry people gathered and tried to get inside to “get to Jefferson Lewis”.

Two police officers, two paramedics and a fire and rescue officer were injured in the disturbance.

Tear gas was deployed as projectiles were thrown at officers and police cars damaged, including one that was torched.

Lewis was flown to Darwin for his own safety as well as that of Alice Springs hospital staff, Dole said.

Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy called for calm among the community as a family began the cultural grieving practice of “Sorry Business” and justice took its course.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the girl’s death was devastating for the Alice Springs community.

“She was just at the start of life’s adventure. This is the tragic outcome we were all desperately hoping against,” he posted on social media.

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-with AAP