SA Police arrest six people following disturbance on Bank St

BANK St traders have called for a rethink of the so called pedestrian friendly laneway to stop it becoming “the dodgiest street in Adelaide” after dark.

MORE police patrols and better lighting are needed to stamp out violence and “undesireable” behaviour in a laneway at the heart of Adelaide’s entertainment district, traders say.

Bank Street business owners say the laneway, linking North Tce and Hindley Street, has become the “dodgiest street in Adelaide” and are demanding greater security to protect customers and the public.

Their calls follow a fracas on the strip on Friday night in which witnesses described more than 100 people arguing, fighting and smashing chairs.

Police made six arrests, including two 17 year olds for assaulting police.

Traders say such bad behaviour on the strip, which is popular with families walking to the upgraded Adelaide Oval, has increased since a $1 million upgrade last year to make it more pedestrian-friendly.

Parklets that were introduced for diners to sit in have been identified as a root of the problem, as has a lack of lighting.

Danny Rattenni, co-owner of restaurant Parlamento on the corner of Bank St and North Tce, said customers were regularly witness to incidents outside, including people urinating on furniture.

“We’ve been against the parklets since they put them up,” he said.

“Reason being, they are being used as toilets, beds and a gathering place for undesirables.

“(On Friday) night, all the tourists were looking on in disbelief.”

Mr Rattenni said troubles were less frequent before the parklets were installed because there was nowhere for people to congregate.

“They do have lighting in the parklets (but) it’s not bright enough,” he said.

“They need to light it up like a tennis court. That gets rid of the cockroaches.”

Richard Lee and his son Daniel, who have run the Lucky 7 convenience store on Bank St for about four years, say disorderly behaviour on the strip is common but Friday’s was the biggest they had witnessed.

“There are lots of fights here but not as big as (Friday) night’s,” Daniel Lee said.

“There would’ve been more than 100 (people). They were smashing chairs around in the parklets and I think they vandalised a few other things as well.

“It’s the dodgiest street in Adelaide at night. It’s not very pedestrian friendly.”

Mr Rattenni and the Lees said that more police patrols to deter people from hanging around the area.

Attorney General and Planning Minister John Rau said he would happily discuss the issues with traders an

“I am obviously concerned about any congregation of trouble makers in the city,” he said.

“Bank St is well covered with CCTV and is very close to the Hindley St police station. Any bad behavior should be immediately reported to police.”

A Kilburn youth, 17, and a Munno Para youth, 17, were charged with assaulting police, disorderly behaviour and resist arrest following Friday’s fracas.

A Kilburn youth, 16, an Enfield man, 18, and a Burton man, 23, were all charged with disorderly behaviour and will appear in court at a later date.

A Christies Beach man, 26, who was found at the scene and wanted for questioning over a deception offence from early September was also reported and will face court at a later date.