Police Aim to Expand Implementation of South Australia’s New Knife Stop and Search Laws

South Australian police are expanding their efforts to combat knife crime, with new stop and search powers soon to be implemented on public transport. 

State Attorney-General Kyam Maher has indicated that major transport hubs would be prioritised based on police intelligence regarding potential threats. 

It’s believed Adelaide Railway Station will be among the first locations where the new measures will be used, allowing officers to search passengers using metal detecting wands.

The extension of these powers follows their recent introduction at shopping centres across Adelaide. 

“When they are declared, people will be able to feel even safer knowing that there are extra police powers in those places where people get onto public transport,” Maher said.

Currently, the legislation applies to eight shopping centres, with police so far conducting operations at Marion and Burnside Village, while Colonnades and Tea Tree Plaza are expected to be added to the list by the end of the week.

“There are more coming this week, another three shopping centre precincts will be declared during the course of this week,” Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said. 

“And that will be followed by public transport hubs, and we will be doing assessments on other shopping precincts as well, right across the state of South Australia.”

Since the start of the stop and search operations four days ago, police have seized four knives. 

“We wouldn’t be asking for these powers if we didn’t think they were necessary, so I think there is a justification in us supporting this legislation as it went through the Parliament with the results we have had already,” Mr Stevens said.

Once the new powers are extended to public transport hubs, officers will also have the ability to search passengers on board buses, trams and trains.