Police will ask for the current “Declared Public Precinct” powers, now limited from 6pm to 6am Friday and Saturdays in the west end, to be extended across the entire week and for the defined area to be “reviewed”.

The current Declared Public Precinct zone (via SAPOL).

Though SAPOL would not reveal the proposed geographical expansion of the DPP, the changes would give police the power to remove individuals from the defined area every night, along with powers to conduct searches for drugs and with metal detectors and to ban anyone behaving “in an offensive or disorderly manner” for up to 24 hours.

Currently, the DPP applies on Friday and Saturday nights in an area encompassing Hindley St and bordered by North Terrace, West Terrace, King William Street and Currie Street.

Police are preparing a submission on expanding the DPP for Attorney General Kyam Maher.

Acting police commissioner Linda Williams said the proposed changes, alongside a bolstered police presence at North Terrace, would act as a “circuit breaker” for crime in the CBD.

“What I can say that people are seeing is an increase in homelessness, people affected by alcohol, drugs, mental health and I think anti-social behaviour,” Williams told ABC Radio Adelaide.

“We understand that creates a fear of crime, and we want our CBD to be safe, we want people to feel safe.

“We need to have some sort of circuit breaker to assist these people in terms of what it is that’s affecting them.”

Williams said the DPP powers gave officers the “ability to move people out of the CBD”.

“It also gives us the power – depending on if people are behaving disorderly – to bar them from the CBD for a certain period of time which is a good circuit breaker,” she said.

“In the case of minors, if we think that their safety is at risk, we can actually move them into a safer place and I think that’s really important for young people.

“We can use wands – metal detectors – to search people for knives which is also a useful tool.”

Anyone barred from the DPP zone who remains or re-enters can be found guilty of an offence which carries a maximum penalty of $2,500. A $344 fine can also be issued for those behaving in an “offensive or disorderly” manner.

In a statement, a Government spokesperson said the state had recently renewed the DPP declaration.

“Since 2017 the City West area has been a declared public precinct during certain periods of time,” the spokesperson said.

“Any request to extend those times will be considered by the Attorney-General in the usual way, taking into account the statutory requirements.”

Police revealed the push for expanded powers as it mobilised a “highly visible” presence with foot and police horse patrols around North Terrace as part of ‘Operation Paragon’.

“We understand the fear of crime in the city and having additional police officers in the area will provide reassurance to the community,” Williams said.

“Operation Paragon is focussed on addressing alcohol related anti-social behaviour in the CBD through a multi-agency approach. It helps to facilitate access to support services that address the health and welfare needs of at-risk individuals in the community.

“Operation Paragon resources will be significantly increased with the addition of police from other districts and other SAPOL Services.”

It comes as police responded this morning to reports of a group of people fighting in a convenience store off North Terrace.

Police said they spoke to a female who was alleged to have been involved in the fight and had sustained a minor cut to her hand and face. She was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment.

Two women were arrested in relation to the incident and are expected to be charged with offences later today.

“Police wish to re-assure the community that this was not a random incident and all parties are known to each other,” police said.