South Australian retailers are now required to securely store or tether displayed sharp knives, limiting public access without staff assistance, a move welcomed by the Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA).
The SCCA had recommended this approach to the South Australian government when consulted on the matter this March.
The council emphasised the importance of removing visual, locational, timely, and physical access to dangerous knives in shopping centres.
“Too many knife incidents at shopping centres have arisen from a dangerous knife being taken from a shop, and despite our industry’s best efforts to get retailers to securely store such knives or remove them from open display at the front of their shop, many have refused to do so,” said Angus Nardi, CEO of the SCCA.
“These new laws will remove the ability for offenders to easily access such weapons – often in the heat of the moment – removing a major risk for customers, retail workers, and our security guards.”
The legislation is expected to come into effect from next July, with the SCCA recommending that it become a benchmark for other jurisdictions.
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