SA police seize more than 80 weapons from 10,000 shopping centre searches
South Australian police seized more than 80 weapons using new powers to stop and search people in shopping centres.
South Australia Police conducted 10,000 wand searches across 18 shopping centres under expanded powers introduced a year ago to reduce knife crime. Officers found more than 80 weapons, just under 1 per cent of all searches.
The laws allow police to stop and search anyone inside a declared shopping precinct and prevent them from returning for 24 hours. Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the low rate showed "by and large South Australians are doing the right thing".
The state's Guardian for Children said the numbers don't reveal enough about the problem. She asked whether weapons were carried by adults or young people and called for "more transparent" data.
The Guardian noted that expanded police powers are "not a long-term solution to youth offending or violence". SA Police will continue using the laws while available.
Why it mattersThe data shows whether these powers are effectively preventing knife crime or just reassuring shoppers, and whether they address the root causes of youth violence.
AustraliaSouth Australians shopping in patrolled centres may see increased police searches, and the state government will decide whether to continue these powers based on their effectiveness.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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