Northern Territory Police have arrested a man after a vehicle was stolen with a young child in the back seat in Alice Springs earlier this evening.

The child was located safe and well.

At 7:50pm, Police received reports that a vehicle was stolen from a location on Gap Road with a young child still inside.

Acting Commander Shaun Gill said "Members from Operation Drina, Dog Operations, Drone Unit and General Duties deployed and the vehicle was located abandoned a short time later in Gillian with the child located safe and well still inside the vehicle.

"An adult male was arrested a short time later and remains in police custody.

"Investigations are ongoing."