Police to increase patrols in Rundle Mall amid shoplifting surge and violence fears
Heavily armed specialist officers will join an increase in patrols as police crack down on violent retail theft in the Mall - as another arrest was made this morning.
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Heavily armed, specialist police officers trained to responded to terrorism or violent domestic incidents and manage major events will join increased patrols in Rundle Mall as SAPOL cracks down on a huge reported spike in violent shoplifting.
As one store owner warned “someone will get killed” if nothing was done to stop the violent thefts, SAPOL announced on Thursday a rise in patrols across the Mall, in response to a spike in violent theft from retailers.
SDA secretary Josh Peak said on FIVEaa on Thursday there had been a 30 per cent rise in violent retail crime across Adelaide.
REPLAY THE PRESS CONFERENCE
It comes as police hold talks with Rundle Mall management and retailers on Thursday, as part of a regular Business Watch meeting and a man was arrested in the Mall on Thursday morning and charged with theft.
Police conducting patrols of Rundle Mall were flagged down by retailers who said a man had stolen clothing from their store.
Police arrested a 45-year-old Bowden man nearby and charged him with theft. He was bailed to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court in May. Police said there were no injuries and no one was confronted.
Two violent shoplifting incidents have marred this week in the Mall – a worker knocked unconscious on Monday, allegedly by a 15-year-old girl using a stool, while two men with an axe robbed Foot Lockers on Wednesday.
Nike store owner Shannon Aistrope told The Advertiser “disaster” loomed if shoplifters were left to run amok in the mall.
“The reality is, something needs to be drastically done to reduce the crime,” he said. “It’s a significant issue with gangs and the violence emerging in Rundle Mall.”
Police said in a statement the extra patrols – part of Operation Measure – would provide a “highly visible and responsive presence”.
“This will provide a level of community reassurance and deterrence to would-be shop theft offenders,” they said.
The response will include officers from SAPOL’s Eastern District, supported by the specialist anti-terrorism Security Response Section and officers from the horse and dog operations unit.
Police said neither of this week’s incidents were related, but conceded they “cause community concern, particularly where violence is used”.
Mr Peak told FIVEaa said there was “no doubt” Rundle Mall was a problem, but violence and threats toward retail had increased over the past year across the city.
“Stats last year saw retail crime escalate by something like 30 per cent, putting our members at risk – so additional police resourcing is called for and welcome,” Mr Peak said.
“Anecdotal reports is that’s driven by cost of living rises, but what’s terrified the workers is how brazen some of this is - it’s not like people are trying to hide it, they are walking in filling up shopping trolleys and walking out of major department stores or supermarkets.”
Police Minister Joe Szakacs said it had been an “outrageous week of disgusting behviour”.
He said there would be a “very significant surge of resourcing starting today” in the CBD.
The Adelaide-wide Operation Measure targets shop theft, particularly when violence is used.
SAPOL said since it started in March 2022, more than 1300 people had been arrested or reported for shoplifting or related offending.
Anyone with information about shoplifting, including aggression towards retail staff, can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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