Dozens of weapons seized in SA shopping centres, police to continue searches

Expanded police powers to search people in shopping centres across South Australia will continue after a significant number of weapons were seized over the past year. The state's children guardian, however, says more transparent data is needed to assess the effectiveness of this approach.

At least 80 weapons have been seized since police were granted additional powers one year ago, following 10,000 wand searches across 18 shopping centres. The laws enable police to stop and search anyone inside a declared shopping precinct and turn them away for 24 hours.

Police to continue using expanded powers

Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the number of weapons found — amounting to just under 1 per cent of all searches — showed "by and large South Australians are doing the right thing".

"That doesn't mean we should be complacent … to make sure we don't see ourselves in position the eastern states have found themselves in with knife crime," he said.

Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland have similar search and move-on powers.

In June 2024, a group of teenagers allegedly wielding weapons during a brawl sparked a lockdown at Westfield Marion shopping centre.

Police defend their approach

Acting Assistant Police Commissioner David O'Donovan said he was "not aware of any pushback" from shoppers "about being the subject of a wand search".

"When you look at the ultimate outcome of us being able to make public spaces much safer, we will continue to use the legislation as long as it is available," he said.

"The information I have is that [the public] fully support our activities, and that we're operating in public places trying to make it much safer for them to be present."

He said over the past year, there have been incidents where "children have been in possession of weapons", but SA Police was unable to provide specific figures.

Criticism from children's guardian

Acting SA Guardian for Children and Young People Sue Macdonald said the numbers "do not tell us enough about the extent or nature of the problem", including "whether the weapons were carried by adults or children and young people".

"A more transparent discussion of the data would help the community assess the effectiveness of this policing approach," she said.

"While expanded policing powers may play a role in responding to immediate safety risks, they are not a long-term solution to youth offending or violence."

"To achieve lasting change, we need to better understand and address the factors that contribute to these behaviours, including experiences of abuse and neglect, family and domestic violence, social disadvantage, disengagement from education and substance misuse."

Traders and shoppers weigh in

Burnside Village butcher George Schofield was supportive of police searches using metal detector wands.

"I think this shopping centre is pretty good with security, so I don't think anyone has felt too worried here," he said.

"It's just that extra confidence knowing police are out there."

Shopper Claire Langsford questioned if the patrols were a good use of public resources.

"I would suspect if the corporations that own shopping centres invested more resources in protecting staff … that might work out better for everybody," she said.

The maximum penalty for carrying an offensive weapon in public, which includes most knives, is six months in jail or a $2,500 fine.

The more serious charge of possessing a prohibited weapon, which includes machetes and swords, is two years' imprisonment or a $20,000 fine.