Police have extended their searching powers to include four new shopping districts, as part of a strategy to combat knife and public violence crime. Starting in March, the new public precinct regulations will move into the new regions. Officers can now wand people for weapons without needing a reason to suspect a person is carrying one. Stevens stated that these measures demonstrate the effectiveness of the new knife laws in keeping city malls safe.
Improving Public Safety in Regional South Australia
After researching public order crime, police noticed a continuous pattern of violence in shopping districts. Residents have been pleased with measures like knife and weapon detection systems, which aim to reduce violence in public commercial areas.
The new laws allow officers to stop and search people entering, leaving, or staying inside these designated areas. This initiative is about more than finding illegal weapons—it seeks to change public behavior, making it socially and legally unacceptable to carry knives. Police can also impose 24-hour exclusion orders on individuals who threaten the safety of others.
The new powers focus on targeted areas and unsafe individuals, specifically in the Limestone Coast, Far North, and Eyre Peninsula regions. Additional officers will be deployed, some using metal detectors to enhance public safety. While civil liberties advocates have raised concerns, SAPOL emphasizes that these measures prevent harm from knives.
Designated Regional Precincts
| Region | Declared Shopping Precinct | Primary Authority Granted |
|---|---|---|
| Far North | Port Augusta Central Business District | Random metal detector searches & 24 hr bans |
| Eyre & Western | Westland Shopping Centre (Whyalla) | Weapons detection & public order removals |
| Limestone Coast | Mount Gambier Central | Mandatory compliance with wand scanning |
| Limestone Coast | Coles and Aldi Precinct (Mount Gambier) | Search of persons & personal property |
Legislative Framework and Penalties for Non-Compliance
The regional rollout is part of the 2025 legislative reforms, introducing some of the strictest knife laws in Australia. Items like machetes and tactical blades are now prohibited in public. Non-compliance in declared shopping precincts may result in a $1,250 fine, while possession of a prohibited weapon can incur fines up to $20,000 or 2 years imprisonment.
Building Public Trust
South Australian Police aim to earn public trust through experience, expertise, and transparency. Officers receive training on defusing tense situations while staying within the law. Declared zones are publicly posted and available on the SAPOL website to ensure clear communication. The updated 2026 policy balances public safety and civil rights with evidence-based measures.
Improving Security in Shopping Centers
Early results from Adelaide metro show a deterrence effect, with fewer reports of weapon intimidation where wand searches operate. Future trials will likely expand to additional regional centers. Technology upgrades, including enhanced CCTV and real-time data integration with mall security, will further support police operations. Residents of Port Augusta, Whyalla, and Mount Gambier will benefit from a more protective policing approach.
FAQs
Q1 Do the police in these regional malls need a reason to search me?
Police can search anyone entering, leaving, or inside a declared shopping precinct without “reasonable suspicion.”
Q2 What happens if I don’t want to be scanned by a metal detector?
Disobeying a police officer in a declared area is an offense. Failure to leave may result in a fine or other legal consequences.
Q3 Are the police allowed to search these four locations permanently?
No. Search and seizure powers are limited and reviewed continuously by the Commissioner of Police to ensure appropriateness.