The Port Augusta central business district, Westland Shopping Centre in Whyalla, Coles and Aldi precinct in Mount Gambier and Mount Gambier Central are now Declared Shopping Precincts.
This means police will have additional powers to maintain public safety and conduct weapons searches.
Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens said the four regional shopping precincts are in addition to multiple Adelaide shopping centres where police have used these powers to detect many weapons.
"To see police easily identifying dangerous knives in areas heavily frequented by the public shows these powers are working," Commissioner Stevens said.
"We're pleased to expand these powers into regional areas and will continue to identify shopping precincts in other regional centres where this legislation can enhance public safety."
In the first three months 19 knives were detected in Declared Public Shopping Centres in Adelaide.
The new powers enable police to order a person or group posing a risk to public safety to leave the shopping precinct for 24 hours. If they re-enter, or attempt to, there is a maximum penalty of $1250.
Maps showing the relevant declared areas, which include the above listed shopping centres, can be found on the SAPOL website (SAPOL - Declared Public Events and Places). If other areas or events are declared they will also be published on the SAPOL website and in the South Australian Government Gazette.
