An 11-year-old girl has been arrested for allegedly striking a 77-year-old woman with a butterknife during a "disturbing" attempted robbery on Sunday.

Key points: The 11-year-old girl was arrested but has since been released from custody

The 11-year-old girl was arrested but has since been released from custody The 77-year-old did not want to go to hospital for further treatment.

The 77-year-old did not want to go to hospital for further treatment. St John Ambulance NT said the victim was physically fine, but "shocked and distressed"

NT Police Watch Commander Siiri Tennosaar said the 77-year-old was walking to her vehicle in a car park on Palmerston Circuit at 1:30pm when she was approached by the young alleged offender armed with a butterknife.

"The offender demanded money from that victim and then when the victim refused, the offender struck the victim to the mouth before fleeing on foot," Commander Tennosaar said.

"The victim suffered some minor injuries but was treated by St John [Ambulance] at the scene."

Commander Tennosaar said the 11-year-old had since been released from custody pending further investigations.

"That is a very young age," she said.

"And this particular young person had been involved in another matter in the same area sort of in the same time frame.

"So it's a little bit disturbing.

"In light of the age of the young, we do need to consider whether she would be suitable for diversion but at this age it's too early to tell whether the matter will go to court or go down the diversion path."

NT Police said the 77-year-old was walking to her car in a car park on Palmerston Circuit when she was approached by the young offender. ( ABC News: Michael Donnelly )

Victim left 'shocked and distressed'

St John Ambulance NT duty manager Craig Garraway said paramedics attended the scene and treated the woman, but the 77-year-old did not want to go to hospital for further treatment.

"She was fine, obviously quite shocked and distressed by the incident as you can imagine," he said.

"But physically she was OK."

Commander Tennosaar said investigations were ongoing and urged anyone with information about the matter to contact NT Police.

NT Police said the 11-year-old from Moulden would be summoned to appear at the Darwin Youth Court in February charged with one count of aggravated assault with intent to steal.