South Australian Police have arrested 70 domestic violence offenders across two weeks in April as part of the seventh statewide anti-domestic abuse operation.

Operation Storm saw police officers target 351 offenders and attend 443 addresses of offenders regarding outstanding investigations, intervention orders and bail compliance.

Since Operation Storm was first rolled out in July 2024, police have investigated 2470 offenders in SA over the total 14-week period, including 519 arrests and a further 131 offenders reported for a total of 993 offences.

Acting deputy commissioner of police Philip Newitt said SAPOL’s compliance checks and “proactive approach to domestic abuse” continued to deter ongoing offending.

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“The recent two-week operation employed a deterrence approach towards perpetrators, with 117 support referrals made for offenders to access rehabilitation services,” Newitt said.

“As a result, some individuals accessed the SAPOL website to obtain support material, indicating offenders are willing to access services to seek assistance in modifying their behaviour.

“This operation shows our commitment to preventing domestic abuse. We will not only take actions against offenders who pose a threat to victims, but also proactively identify opportunities to refer offenders to behaviour change programs and other supports.”

During the two-week operation, a 29-year-old male from the Far North was arrested for seriously assaulting his female partner. He was subsequently charged with three counts of aggravated assault, three counts of breaching an intervention order and assaulting a police officer.

Another 76-year-old male from the Barossa Valley indecently assaulted his wife, breaching his intervention order. The perpetrator has since been placed on home detention and is due to appear in court in June.

“SAPOL is committed to continuing Operation Storm to reduce rates of perpetration, including incidents of intimate partner homicide,” Newitt said.

“We continue to work collaboratively with other services in a multi-agency response to domestic abuse.”

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme enables those in a relationship or third parties concerned about someone at risk of domestic violence to ask information about a partner or former partner.

In April, 374 SAPOL officers also conducted 51 bail compliance checks, three firearm prohibition order and charged people for 116 offences.

Three stalking cautions were also issued, while 26 arrest warrants were executed. More than 922 support referrals have been made for offenders to access rehabilitation services since 2024.