Extra police in CBD crime crackdown
The state’s top cop has announced the roll out of more police officers to crackdown on crime in key CBD entertainment precincts, as September’s crime stats are revealed.
The number of SAPOL officers patrolling key shopping, entertainment and hospitality precincts in the city will almost double as of today, following the commencement of the new “CBD Precinct”.
An additional 30 frontline officers, including a new chief inspector and senior sergeant, and a dedicated 24/7 police response team operating from Blackburn House on Grenfell Street were announced on Thursday morning.
A new Grenfell Street Response team will also work alongside existing patrols to provide a “highly visible”, “around-the-clock” police presence across the CBD and surrounding precincts.
Acting police commissioner Linda Williams said the additional police officers had been reassigned from suburban police districts, but would not receive any additional powers.
“The additional staffing and new model will allow for greater preventative and proactive policing measures, providing more rapid response capability and improved coordination during peak periods and major incidents,” Williams said.
“Summer and the festive season brings a lot of people into the CBD and this new precinct will ensure everyone can enjoy themselves safely.”
The announcement coincides with SAPOL’s September crime statistics revealing the number of police officers being assaulted while on duty has risen 23 per cent, from 660 in August to 810 offences.
Serious assault offences remained high with 16,394 for the month, while the number of common assault offences reported increased from 5,974 to 6,979 offences.
Williams said the new initiative would allow Hindley Street patrols to have greater dedicated foot patrols and enhance police visibility in the area.
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It is the first initiative to be implemented by SAPOL following recommendations from the independent BDO review of the District Policing Model last December.
Police Minister Michael Brown said the additional officers “means that when crimes happen here in the city, there will be police on the beat much faster than before”.
It follows SA Police being given extra powers in the Glenelg entertainment district last month, with Moseley Square, Glenelg Jetty and the tram stop on the popular strip marked as part of a Declared Public Precinct.
The extra powers given to police in Declared Public Precincts include the right to conduct metal detector searches to find weapons and drug searches. Police can also ban a person from the area for up to 24 hours if they commit an offence, are offensive or behave in a disorderly manner.
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