Adelaide hit by youth crime spree as government mulls raising age of criminal responsibility

Adelaide has recorded a series of youth crime as the state government considers raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12.

A 14-year-old and 16-year-old were caught allegedly stealing a car in Salisbury North while a till was stolen by others from Nido in Hyde Park.

Some recent offending has involved children as young as 11.

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Police said it was an example of why a proposal to raise the age of criminal responsibility should be considered carefully and only introduced with the correct framework.

"There is a small group for whatever reason lack of parental control and lack of supervision, find them selves in a position where they are attracted to crime," Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said.

"If the major criminal responsibility is raised and it impedes on the ability for police to deal with young offenders at the time they commit a crime then that would have an impact on community safety."

Particular community concerns arise from Gouger Street in the Adelaide CBD, where the Gauchos restaurant was looted this week.

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Police are investigating whether Gouger Street should be declared a public precinct, a move that would give them more powers to fight crime in the area.

"When it comes to youth crime there are some challenges there in terms of preventing young people from being in the area and dealing with them effectively," Stevens said.

But first, the government has introduced laws to stop criminals taking advantage of vulnerable young people.

"If an adult recruits a child to commit a crime, there will be a stand alone offence for that, but they will also be prosecuted for that crime that is committed," Attorney-General Kyam Maher said.

That law is expected to be passed in the coming weeks.