Rock-throwing incidents on Southern Expressway rise as police funnel more resources

ROCK throwing incidents are rising, defying increased police patrols along one of Adelaide’s most vital arterial routes. New data show when they are happening the most.

• Fourth rock-throwing incident on Southern Expressway in two weeks
• Arrests: Police operation targets Southern Expressway rock throwers

MORE victims of rock throwing on the Southern Expressway have come forward in the wake of police funnelling resources to combat the potentially deadly attacks.

There have now been 30 reported incidents of rocks being thrown at motorists since January 1.

Of the attacks, 19 came from overpasses or bridges while eight came from the roadside and one from a bicycle path.

A further two projectiles were thrown from an unknown location.

Eight new reports have been made in the last week since police launched Operation Watercolour which redirects extensive police resources to the almost 20km stretch of road.

Concerned motorist Michelle Ward, with her children Cormac, Harper, and Charlee on Honeypot Rd above the Southern Expressway last week. Picture: Dylan Coker

Dog, mounted and bicycle units will be deployed to the overpasses and embankments next to the Southern Expressway along with patrols both overt and covert.

There have been no reported rock throwing incidents since the announcement of the operation on Thursday.

Motorists are being warned to be “highly vigilant” while travelling on South Australian roads.

“Police reinforce the need for people to be highly vigilant when travelling on the Southern Expressway; or in fact any roadway where they may see a person or people acting suspiciously near the roadside, bike path way, bridge or overpass,” a police spokeswoman said.

“We urge any person who may be a victim of an object being thrown at their motor vehicle; or a witness to such an event, to please safely stop their motor vehicle and contact police as soon as something happens.”

SOUTHERN EXPRESSWAY INCIDENTS TILL LAST WEEK: INTERACTIVE MAP

22 rock throwing incidents on the Southern Expressway so far this year, stretched across the 20km stretch of road. @theTiser pic.twitter.com/q5wGMwprIl

— Mitch Mott (@MitchMottTiser) June 7, 2018

On Saturday, police released a break down of the most dangerous periods to be on the Southern Expressway.

LATE afternoon is the most dangerous time of day with 10 rock throwing incidents between 3pm and 6pm since January. This is closely followed by early morning with eight incidents reported between midnight and 3am.

MONDAY has the highest reported number of rock throwing incidents at nine, almost double the next highest days of Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday with five each.

THE ELIZABETH Rd overpass has had five rock throwing incidents alone according to police data released on Thursday.

A police patrol near the Honeypot Rd overpass. Picture: DYLAN COKER

The crack down on rock throwing follows a near miss involving a mother and toddler travelling along the Southern Expressway in May.

In April a group of youths threw rocks at cars on the Southern Expressway and attacked four people during a crime spree in the southern suburbs.

Anyone who has information on rock throwing incidents are asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the police assistance line on 13 144.

The most common time periods for these reports occurs as follows:

3pm — 6pm (10)

Midnight — 3am (8)

9pm — midnight (5)

6pm — 9pm (4)

3am — 8am (2)

10am to midday (1)

The most prominent days are:

Monday (9)

Tuesday (3)

Wednesday (5)

Thursday (5)

Friday (2)

Saturday (1)

Sunday (5)