South Australia Police has announced the state’s first regional Declared Shopping Precincts, with the declaration providing Police with additional powers to maintain public safety and conduct weapons searches.
The Port Augusta central business district, Westland Shopping Centre in Whyalla, Coles and Aldi precinct in Mount Gambier and Mount Gambier Central are now Declared Shopping Precincts, the Government today confirmed.
Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens said the four regional shopping precincts are in addition to multiple Adelaide shopping centres where Police have used these powers to detect many weapons.
“To see police easily identifying dangerous knives in areas heavily frequented by the public shows these powers are working,” Commissioner Stevens said.
“We’re pleased to expand these powers into regional areas and will continue to identify shopping precincts in other regional centres where this legislation can enhance public safety.”
In the first three months, 19 knives were detected in Declared Public Shopping Centres in Adelaide. The new powers enable Police to order a person or group posing a risk to public safety to leave the shopping precinct for 24 hours. If they re-enter, or attempt to, there is a maximum penalty of $1,250.
