Police have declared a knife attack on a shopping centre cleaner in suburban Adelaide a "cowardly" and "appalling" major crime.
A cleaner at the Parabanks Shopping Centre in her 30s was attacked on Monday night and has had significant surgery on serious facial and back injuries.
Detective Inspector Billy Thompson said the fact that South Australian police are devoting so many resources to the investigation indicated their concern.
"This is a cowardly attack on a defenceless person who was going about their business trying to earn her living and it is appalling," he said.
Police said the motive for the attack is unclear.
"[The victim confirmed] she does not know the person who attacked her, does not recognise them and does not recall any incidents that would've led to her being attacked by this person," Detective Inspector Thompson said.
The suspect was captured on CCTV and police said that footage shows him acting very suspiciously.
"The person seems to have walked into the toilet area with some sense of purpose, some sense of premeditation you could say, and certainly has walked out very calmly afterwards," Detective Inspector Thompson said.
Police described the man as of Caucasian appearance, aged in his 20s or 30s with a medium build, and wearing a dark-coloured beanie, jacket, tracksuit pants and a white shirt.
Detective Inspector Thompson said police want to identify the man as quickly as possible.
"Despite the [CCTV] footage being quite grainy, anyone who knows this person — if it was your brother, your father, a friend — you would know this person. If that's the case, come forward and tell us who it is," he said.
