Operation Storm leads to almost 90 arrests during two-week SA Police domestic violence blitz

Almost 90 people were arrested, including a 60-year-old woman for allegedly stabbing her partner, as police targeted known domestic violence offenders in a two-week blitz.

Almost 90 alleged domestic violence offenders have been arrested during a two-week statewide police blitz targeting known and repeat perpetrators.

The SA Police sting was part of the second wave of Operation Storm, a dedicated anti-domestic abuse operation first held in July this year.

Police now say they will roll out the blitz – which involves about 400 officers – quarterly, at random times, to continue combating the scourge of domestic violence across the state.

During the most recent phase of the operation, officers arrested 87 alleged domestic violence offenders and laid a total of 194 charges.

SA Police Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams says Operation Storm will now be conducted on a quarterly basis. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Mariuz

Deputy Police Commissioner Linda Williams said the crackdown targeted 373 perpetrators - who had a history of domestic violence offending or breaching orders as well as those with a firearms licence - and police attended almost 400 properties across the state.

She said the arrests related to a range of alleged offences including breaching bail conditions or intervention orders; assault; property damage; threats of unlawful violence; unlawful imprisonment; stalking; strangulation; theft; and aggravated serious criminal trespass.

Of the arrests, a 60-year-old eastern suburbs woman was arrested for the attempted murder of her partner, who was allegedly stabbed in the back and arms. She was issued with a police interim intervention order and her matter is before the court.

A 39-year-old Adelaide Plains man was arrested after he allegedly assaulted his partner and set two cars alight, causing $100,000 damage.

The police helicopter and dog patrols were called in to find the man. He was located and arrested for assault causing harm; acts to endanger life; choking, suffocating or strangling a person in a domestic setting; arson; and road traffic offences.

He was bailed with conditions for the protection of the victim.

Police also executed 22 warrants for various domestic violence offences, carried out 10 firearms prohibition orders compliance searches and issued five stalking cautions.

Ms Williams confirmed Operation Storm will now be carried out four times a year.

“Our proactive approach to domestic abuse continues to show offenders that we conduct compliance checks and searches to deter ongoing offending,” she said.

“SAPOL hopes these continued operations will assist in reducing rates of perpetration and intimate partner homicide.”

Ms Williams said the operation took a “deterrence approach” and as such, officers made 135 support referrals for offenders to access rehabilitation services.

“As a result, 85 visited the SAPOL website to access this material, showing they are willing to access services to seek assistance with their behaviour,” she said.