SA’s Declared Public Precinct order extended for another six months in identified hotspots, including Rundle Mall

Laws giving police special powers have been extended by another six months in the latest bit to combat CBD crime and anti-social behaviour.

Extra powers allowing for random police searches and a crackdown on anti-social behaviour in the Adelaide CBD will continue for another six months.

The state’s top legal officer has again extended the Declared Public Precinct to restore public safety in identified hotspots, including Rundle Mall.

The measure was reintroduced in April this year in direct response to a surge in shop theft and assaults on retail workers in Rundle Mall.

The precinct covers West End, around North Tce, Festival Plaza, Riverbank and West End during peak trouble times.

Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association SA secretary Josh Peak said the greater police powers and searches had helped make retail workers feel safer.

“We have seen a positive impact on public behaviour over that period of time,” he said.

“They (retail workers) are feeling far safer.

“There was so much concern coming out in February about assaults on workers – there were three in the space of seven days that were incredibly violent.

“It sent shocks through the retail workers. So the additional police and security presence has been good.”

The Declared Public Precinct has been extended for six months including Rundle Mall. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Mr Peak said extending police powers to perform random searches on people suspected of carrying knives had also helped workers feel safer.

“Reducing knife crime is really important,” he said.

“The carrying of weapons is something we have seen in the CBD and in shopping centres over the past couple of months.”

The DPP declaration allows police to conduct metal detector searches of a person and “any property in their possession for the presence of weapons”, carry out general drug detection searches, as well as order a person or group to leave the defined area if deemed to be a risk to public safety.

People can also be banned for up to 24 hours.

A government spokeswoman said the DPP would be extended for six months.

“The government continues to monitor the efficacy of the declared public precinct in the Adelaide CBD, including taking advice on its need and usage from South Australia Police,” she said.

“We will continue to monitor the use of the declaration and any future changes required.”

The zone would be enforced over 12 hours from 10am on Monday to Thursday, between 6pm and 6am on Friday and Saturday nights and six hours on Sunday until 10pm.

The previous declaration was set to expire at 10pm Wednesday, July 10.