SA Police rifles in Rundle Mall just ‘routine patrols’

You don’t see this every day in Adelaide’s CBD but a police spokeswoman says it’s actually nothing out of the ordinary.

Police armed with rifles were spotted moving through the Adelaide CBD, but the public has been advised they were just “routine patrols”.

Officers from the SA Police Security Response Section patrolled Rundle Mall on Thursday afternoon armed with assault rifles and anti-ballistic vests.

The elite teams have been deployed since 2020 to “ensure public safety in vulnerable locations such as crowded places and major events,” according to a SAPOL spokeswoman.

The heavily armed police unit sparked controversy when it was first announced in 2020. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The officers were spotted in the city on Thursday. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“This section provides prevention and response to terrorism related incidents, domestic events of a violent nature and help to safely manage major events in South Australia,” the spokeswoman said.

“They are on the ground, ready and equipped to act swiftly and expertly should a critical incident occur.”

The establishment of SRS teams in 2020 was met with backlash by some South Australians, with more than 12,000 people signing a petition for their disbandment.

Writing in The Advertiser at the time, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens defended the rifled unit, pointing to a spate of terror attacks across Australia and the rest of the world.

“The creation of the SRS was not a decision taken lightly and they will be deployed to protect all South Australians and visitors to our state,” Commissioner Stevens wrote.

“Their presence is not an indicator that there is a specific danger or threat, it should be seen as a reassurance that SAPOL is properly trained and deployed to ensure a safer community.”

Originally published as SA Police rifles in Rundle Mall just ‘routine patrols’