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SA police want nightclub metal detectors

Posted October 7, 2008 16:49:00
Updated October 7, 2008 20:12:00

Police Commissioner Mal Hyde will seek to have metal detectors installed at a Gouger Street nightclub, near the scene of a long weekend shooting in Adelaide.

A man, 23, whom police allege was a patron at Escobar, has been charged over a shooting outside the nightclub early on Sunday.

Mr Hyde says there is insufficient evidence to have Escobar's operating licence suspended but he will ask the licensing commissioner to have metal detectors included as a licence condition.

"We've also had discussions with the licensees about the establishment of metal detectors and we have not been able to reach agreement with them on doing that, so we are looking to take some action to have that as a condition of the licence," he said.

Police Minister Michael Wright is backing the Commissioner.

"The use of metal detectors would be a worthwhile thing to have and that would assist in obviously people going in with either knives or guns," he said.

Adelaide's Lord Mayor Michael Harbison wants the nightclub shut down.

"If there's going to be violence then I don't think the privilege of a liquor licence should be given to these premises," he said.

In a statement, Escobar says it does not condone or encourage violence, which is the work of a very small minority.

It says security guards and cameras are already in place at the venue but Gouger Street needs a greater police presence.

Bail sought

A man charged over the shooting in Gouger Street has sought bail in Adelaide Magistrates Court.

It is alleged Soniard Mrishaj, 23, shot a man in the leg and endangered the life of a woman in a taxi when she was hit by glass which was shattered by a bullet.

Mrishaj was remanded in custody while reports are prepared on whether a house he shares with his wife at Henley Beach is suitable for home detention.

The magistrate suppressed Mrishaj's image until police have completed identification procedures.

Tags: crime, police, sa, adelaide-5000

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