Adelaide Suburbs with Elevated Safety Concerns for Girls

Adelaide Suburbs with Elevated Safety Concerns for Girls

Noarlunga Centre

Top concerns: This small southern suburb tops the metropolitan crime charts, averaging an assault every three days. It recorded a staggering 72 “crimes against the person” per 100 residents. The area’s concentration of services—train station, mental health clinic, needle exchange—correlates with increased vulnerability to assaults and substance-related risks.

Safety insight: Common spaces like transit hubs may be hotspots. More caution is advised, especially after dark.

Elizabeth, Elizabeth South & Northern Suburbs (e.g., Gawler, Dry Creek, Regency Park, Smithfield, Salisbury)

Elizabeth: Noted for serious risks—knife fights, frequent violent offenses (28 per 100 residents)—driven by youth gang activity and overcrowding.

Other northern suburbs such as Gawler, Dry Creek, Regency Park, Smithfield, and Salisbury saw more than a 25% increase in crimes against people in 2023–24.

Community voices warn: as one said, “the further you head towards Salisbury North, Elizabeth South—the rougher it looks…” – Reddit

Adelaide CBD (City Centre)

Crime levels: Comparable to metropolitan hotspots—in 2024, residents faced a 1 in 12 chance of violent crime, versus 1 in 110 nationally.

 Break-ins and street crime: According to OpenStats, break-ins, motor vehicle theft, and violent crime rates in the CBD are significantly higher than both state and national averages. For instance, violent crime is over 550% higher than national norms

Additional Elevated-Risk Suburbs

Port Adelaide: Also flagged for high on-person crime, with recent spikes exceeding 50%.

Wingfield, Gepps Cross, Glenelg, Oaklands Park, Salisbury: These suburbs show notably high crime indexes—rising across theft, vandalism, property damage, and assault.

Davoren Park, Munno Para, Elizabeth Downs, Smithfield Plains: Recognized for elevated levels of assault, theft, burglary, and drug offences.

Kilburn: Historically seen as rough with moderate offence counts; though in transition, there are still concerns like copper theft.

Oaklands Park: High theft rates, largely attributed to Marion Shopping Centre thefts carried out by organized teenage groups.

Broader Context & Community Insights

Knife crime surge: Adelaide averages ~13 armed offences daily, with northern suburbs like Salisbury and Elizabeth among the hotspots.

Homelessness and street vulnerability: Rough sleeping in Port Adelaide, Modbury, and CBD brings associated violence and lack of long-term support.

Residents’ perspectives:

“As a woman, I would probably say… paying extra to assure your safety is worth it.” (On Elizabeth)
“There is so much crime… Home invasions, car jackings… drunk people walking roads at night.” (On northern suburbs) – Reddit
“Unley seems… posh… but has a crime problem and stabbings.

Safety Advice for Girls & Young Women

Prioritize well-lit, populated routes, especially around transit and shopping hubs.

Use trusted transportation—avoid walking alone late at night in high-risk areas.

Be vigilant near service zones (e.g., Noarlunga Centre, Elizabeth); allow extra time and presence in numbers.

Install and use personal safety tools (alarms, shared location with someone trusted).

Engage with the community—many neighborhoods benefit from local outreach and safety partnerships, though results vary.

Stay informed via SAPOL or OpenStats to monitor local trends and avoid sudden hotspots.

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