Northern Territory Police Force believe a missing five-year-old girl in Mparntwe/Alice Springs may have been abducted from her home and are searching for a 47-year-old man they say may assist with inquiries.

The girl, referred to as Sharon by police, was reported missing at about 1.30 on Sunday morning after she could not be found at her home in Marshall Court at Old Timers Camp.

On Monday, NT Police said they now believe Sharon was abducted.

At a press conference, Acting Commander Mark Grieve said police were searching for Jefferson Lewis, who they believe "can assist with inquiries".

The 47-year-old, recently released from custody, is known to police for domestic and family violence-related offences.

Acting Commander Grieve said he was not imprisoned for child-related offending and, while police do not believe Mr Lewis is "directly related" to Sharon, he may have a "very peripheral link" to her family.

"He was in and around the house at that point in time so I'm assuming there was some sort of recognition of who he may be," he said.

"He's the only person that we haven't been able to locate and speak to who was in and around that area at the time.

"Considering himself and Sharon went missing at around about the same time, it certainly brings about those suspicious circumstances and we'd like to speak to him about that. If he is involved, we certainly hope that no harm has come to Sharon."

Police said Sharon was last seen wearing a dark blue short-sleeve T-shirt with a white ring stripe around the neck and a white ring stripe around the end of the sleeves, and a pair of black boxer-style underwear.

Acting Commander Grieve renewed calls for public assistance to help locate Sharon.

"Obviously it's a terrible situation to have such a young child go missing," he said. "We're over 24 hours now, so it'd certainly be my worst nightmare as a parent."

He said police were "wrapping around" Sharon's parents and had "facilitated some other accommodation just to provide her with some extra support".

"Please, if you've got any information, regardless of how small in detail you think it may be, please let us know, " he said.

"You just don't know what piece of information might complete the jigsaw puzzle. We want to find Sharon healthy and we want to get her back to her family."

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Mr Lewis or Sharon, or who has any information at all, is urged to call police on 000. Please quote reference P26120934.

Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.