Rundle Mall employees say they feel ‘unsafe’ due to regular anti-social behaviour

Rundle Mall retail workers have given a harrowing insight into what they say is a worrying increase in assaults, thefts and anti-social behaviour on the premier shopping strip.

Wary Rundle Mall retail workers say they regularly witness “anti-social behaviour” along the popular shopping strip, with one worker saying it is a weekly occurrence.

Eduarda Andretta, 26, has been working on Rundle Mall for the past two years in different stores.

Ms Andretta, who currently works in a phone repair shop, said during her time employed on the retail strip she’s frequently witnessed concerning behaviour.

“I would say something happens every week around here,” she said.

“People who might be high or drunk and they cause disorder, damage public property, and stuff like that.

“And once a month there’s a bigger incident – like what happened (on Thursday) – where someone actually gets hurt or something.”

A man suffered facial injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment after an alleged assault about 1.10pm on Thursday.

A man, 23, has been arrested and charged with assault cause harm over the incident and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Ms Andretta said such incidents, as well as the minor public disruptions, make her feel unsafe.

“Working by myself, it does feel unsafe, when there’s something happening outside or sometimes people are stealing from here and I don’t exactly feel safe stopping people.”

Shane Kerrison, 29, said he feels unsafe working in Rundle Mall. Picture: Dasha Havrilenko

Fellow retail worker Shane Kerrison, 29, said he felt unsafe when opening and closing shop.

“There has been an increased police presence during the day which keeps people in place,” he said.

“But when we open the store in the morning or close late at night, especially on Fridays, because of the extended shopping hours, it feels very unsafe.

“It’s like just us, the workers and some very questionable characters that look like they might be on substances.”

Another worker – who asked to remain anonymous – said the anti-social behaviour impacted business in their children’s store.

“Our main clientele is families and kids and if someone is being attacked outside our store or there’s just a man running around and threatening passers-by, it impacts us,” she said.

“Because when something frightening happens outside, people scatter, and parents move their children away to safety and obviously don’t come in to do their shopping with us.”

However, the retail worker said police were always quick to respond to an incident call out.

Police on the beat in Rundle Mall. Picture: Keryn Stevens

An SA Police spokesman said they ensured officers were highly visible in the area to deter potential offenders.

“South Australia Police patrol Rundle Mall providing a highly visible presence to deter and detect offending,” he said.

“Officers from Eastern District are supported from other areas within SAPOL such as the Security Response Section, Mounted Operations Unit and Dog Operations Unit plus others.

“Police work collaboratively with retailers and other stakeholders in the city regarding theft and public order offences and employ a range of strategies to make the CBD a safer place to work, visit and live, including Operation Measure.”

SA Police staged Operation Measure on Wednesday, leading to the arrest of 13 people for theft and other offences and the further report of two people. Two people were also issued drug diversion notices for simple possession offences.

Goods recovered from the alleged thieves included clothing, cosmetics and groceries worth about $5000.

Adelaide Economic Development Agency’s executive manager Rundle Mall Andrew White said they had already increased their security coverage.

“Security coverage was increased and SAPOL heightened its police presence in Rundle Mall earlier this year to address anti-social behaviour, and this continues,” he said.

“We regularly meet with retailers and encourage them to report any concerns about safety and security to SAPOL, with whom we work closely.”