Calls for major review into shopping centre security including new plan for police to boost guard ‘shortfalls’

South Australia’s largest union is calling for an “urgent review” into statewide security rules, guard powers and a boost in numbers from an unlikely source.

Retail worker Beth Kendall is concerned with customer security in shopping centres. Picture: Emma Brasier

Off-duty police officers would privately earn overtime to patrol Adelaide shopping centres to help cover security “shortfalls”, under a new plan aimed at curbing spiralling retail violence.

South Australia’s largest union, the SDA, will call for an “urgent review” into statewide security rules, guard powers and a police boost at major retail complexes.

The government did not rule out such a decision last night as the industry attacked “ill-considered” plans, in criticisms that sparked a new guard safety row.

Concerns have mounted at no uniform rules after a spate of centre attacks nationwide over the past year.

The “shoppies” union wrote to Premier Peter Malinauskas and senior ministers in January asking authorities to examine mandating guard numbers, training and security powers.

SDA secretary Josh Peak also called for an investigation into allowing off-duty officers, or police security, to patrol centres – with full powers – to cover guard “shortfalls”.

Police guard the crime scene of a stabbing of a 17 year boy near Boost Juice at Elizabeth City Centre in October last year. Picture: Mark Brake

This, he wrote, would be on an “overtime only basis” to limit any police resourcing problems and that management would reimburse the government for any costs.

While SA Police officers can officially earn overtime through a “voluntary return to service” scheme to patrol events or boost resources, the force doesn’t charge fees for policing.

Mr Peak, who represents retail workers, criticised centre managements’ security protocols, which put “everyone at risk”.

Police at Westfield Shopping Centre in Marion after it was locked down last year. Picture: NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

“There are simply not enough security guards in our shopping centres and they’re powerless in intervening in serious incidents,” he said.

Adelaide Hills mother-of-one Beth Kendall, 43, said guards at her unnamed shopping centre were banned from entering individual stores due to insurance problems.

“They can only walk around and observe and the troublemakers fully know that now,” she said.

Shopping Centre Council of Australia chief executive, Angus Nardi, said boosting security powers was a matter for governments and its regulators as “guards were not police and nor should they be”.

“Our industry takes community safety and security incredibly seriously,” he said.

“The issue deserves better than poorly informed claims and baseless ultimatums being thrown against us.

“We agree … this is a problem, however it’s a community-wide problem … that principally warrants a public policy, government and police response.”

Josh Peak has called for a shopping centre security review. Picture Brett Hartwig

Angus Nardi from the Shopping Centre Council of Australia said managements took security incredibly seriously. Picture: supplied

Mr Peak and Mr Nardi – who has also written to the Premier – criticised each other’s “disappointing” comments.

Mr Malinauskas’ spokesman noted “concerns of workers regarding security guards”.

He said shopping centre safety was a government priority but encouraged complaints to SafeWork SA through “significantly strengthened” workplace, health and safety laws.

“We will continue to monitor these reforms and consider further changes as necessary,” he said.

The government has established a Retail Crime Taskforce and introduced stronger penalties for retail worker assaults or knife-related offences.

Police figures show its retail shop theft crackdown, Operation Measure – focusing on the Eastern district including the CBD – had made more than 2000 arrests from almost 41,000 shop theft reports since March 2022.

A police spokesman said patrols were allocated based on crime trends and other intelligence to ensure best use of resources to keep the community safe.

“Many shopping precincts have security guards on site who provide a deterrent to potential crime in those areas,” he said.

He said police had a “proactive, community engagement approach” to fighting crime or anti-social behaviour linked to youths and vulnerable people in shopping centres and crowded places.