Extra police enforcement powers to target misbehaviour in Glenelg over summer

Police have been given much tougher powers across a large section of Glenelg – for a longer time. Here’s what they can do, and where.

Police have been granted extra powers to curb anti-social behaviour in Glenelg over peak times this summer.

Glenelg’s new Declared Public Precinct will be in place from Friday until April 7, from 3pm to 3am every week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

During these periods last summer, behavioural offences against people and property spiked in Glenelg, according to police.

Acting Assistant Commissioner John De Candia said Glenelg’s DPP had proved an “excellent tool for the police to assist in making people safe”.

SAPOL Acting Assistant Commissioner of Metropolitan Operations John De Candia announced a further expansion to the Glenelg dry zone, in effect from January 3 to April 7 2025. Picture: George Yankovich

“As long as everyone does it responsibly, then it’s a fantastic place for people to come and visit … If someone misbehaves and acts like a you-know-what, then they deserve to get turfed out, so the other people in there can then enjoy it,” he told reporters on Friday.

The area’s dry zone – which is separate from the DPP – was extended in November 2024 to include Jetty Road.

Glenelg’s Declared Public Precinct began on Friday. Picture: SAPOL

Under the DPP, police can conduct drug detection searches and metal detector searches on people to find weapons.

They are also empowered to order any person or group to leave, or even to be permanently banned from the precinct if they pose a risk to public order or safety.

People banned or ordered out could be fined up to $2500 if they return.

Children in danger of physical harm can also be removed by police.

Police said the temporary DPP was approved after extensive consultation with local traders, Holdfast Bay Council and Attorney-General Kyam Maher.

Opposition police spokesperson Jack Batty argued additional powers are “no use if we don’t have enough police”.

“We should all be able to have some fun in our prime entertainment precinct but crime is now totally out of control,” he said. “Labor need to do more to ensure community safety in Glenelg.”

DPPs operate in Adelaide CBD, Port Augusta and Glenelg.

A government spokesman said latest police statistics show reported crime has continued to fall over the past 12 months as frontline officer numbers rise.

“The State Government will closely monitor the effect and use of this new precinct and its impact on community safety,” he said.

A spokeswoman for Holdfast Bay Council said the temporary DPP is a police matter and declined to comment further.