An outback KFC franchise that has become a default safe house for crime victims will close two hours earlier each day because it is concerned about staff safety.

Key points: The franchise said it had sustained almost $8,000 worth of damage and would change its opening hours until "the streets are a bit safer"

The franchise said it had sustained almost $8,000 worth of damage and would change its opening hours until "the streets are a bit safer" The announcement came shortly after a tourist was allegedly punched in the face in Alice Springs

The announcement came shortly after a tourist was allegedly punched in the face in Alice Springs Police say a man asked her for money, and assaulted her after she refused

On Facebook, the Alice Springs fast food franchise said it would now shut its doors at 10:00pm each evening — at least two hours earlier — but would resume normal trading hours when crime levels dropped.

"We have had people taking refuge from others in our restaurant that has resulted in almost $8,000 worth of damage," Sam Edelman wrote in a Facebook post.

"We will resume our normal trading hours as soon as the streets are a bit safer again."

The franchise has been contacted for comment.

Tourist punched in face

The announcement came shortly after a tourist in Alice Springs was allegedly punched in the face by a stranger who had asked her for money.

Police say the woman was walking across a footbridge just before midday on Tuesday, when she was confronted.

The 49-year-old woman refused to hand over any money and was then allegedly struck in the face, causing "significant" facial injuries that required treatment in hospital.

Duty Superintendent Siri Tennosaar said the man, who is described as Indigenous with a stocky build and shirtless at the time, has not been found.

"It appears she was just hit using a hand, no weapon at all, but the injuries are quite significant," Duty Superintendent Tennosaar said.

Police are appealing to anyone in the area at about 11:30am Tuesday who may have seen the man to get in touch.

Crime statistics released last month show that house break-ins in Alice Springs has risen by 83 per cent in 2018, while property break-ins have increased by almost 14 per cent in the same period.

Despite this, assaults have dropped by 7.8 per cent while alcohol-related assaults have dropped more significantly, by 14.8 per cent.

Resident of 40 years looking to leave due to crime

Bill Davis has lived in Alice Springs for almost four decades and said increasing crime has him reconsidering whether he wants to stay.

Last week people broke into his house and stole his mobile phone, credit cards and camper van, which had been burned out by the time police found it.

"Not worrying that the house is under threat, not looking over my shoulder, I can get excited about that," Mr Davis said.

"This tsunami of upheaval, disruption, angst and damage being created at all different levels … it's built up on a big swell," he said.

He blamed a lack of education resources and community engagement for the high levels of youth crime.