Opposition calls for boosted police presence at shopping malls during Christmas as FOI data reveals thousands of callouts in 2024
The opposition is calling for boosted police presence at shopping centres after new data revealed how frequently officers are being called out to major centres. Have your say.
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The opposition is calling for boosted police presence at shopping malls over the Christmas and new year period after new data revealed officers are being called out to major centres nearly six times a day.
The data, released to the Liberals under Freedom of Information, showed that police were called to Westfield Marion, Westfield Tea Tree Plaza, Elizabeth Shopping Centre, Arndale Shopping Centre and the Rundle Mall for thousands of incidents during 2024.
The busiest centre for police callouts was Rundle Mall, where there were more than 2000 in the first 11 months of this year.
Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia called for additional police to be deployed during the busy holiday period.
“Given police are being called out to most of our major shopping centres multiple times every day, we should consider having extra police stationed at our major shopping precincts this Christmas,” he said.
“There has been a disturbing rise in everything from shoplifting to knife fights at our local shopping centres.”
Two men were captured in a terrifying fight inside Parabanks shopping centre this week and, in a separate incident, two teenagers appeared in court over a wild brawl at Beehive Corner in Adelaide’s CBD on Wednesday.
Opposition police spokesman Jack Batty said it is clear in light of increasing criminal behaviour in shopping centres a greater police presence is required.
“It is shocking that apparently there were no police available to be dispatched to a violent brawl in the Rundle Mall this week,” he said.
“You shouldn’t have to go about your Christmas shopping fearing a machete attack or being caught up in a brawl of wild thugs.”
A SAPOL spokeswoman said patrols were allocated based on information including crime trends to ensure best use of resources.
“SAPOL also have a proactive, community engagement approach and know that simply by being present it can deter people from committing crimes,” she said on Friday.
“In the lead up to Christmas, police have had a large presence in major shopping centres across Adelaide, with Westfield Marion a focus earlier this week and Rundle Mall today.
“Police will continue to frequent these areas and more across the state as Christmas and Boxing Day shopping continues.”
A government spokesman said new measures to ban abusive customers from shopping centres would be introduced to parliament early next year.
“Tackling knife crime through greater powers for law enforcement authorities, including in shopping centres, is further reform being considered,” he said.
“The opposition is playing catch up as we improve safety in the retail sector and continue to engage with industry and SA Police.”
He said police callouts to shopping centres across Adelaide have remained steady over recent years.
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