Eight police officers have now been arrested over charges of theft and abuse of public office.

A string of South Australian police officers have been targeted in ongoing investigation into corruption in Adelaide.

Several of the officers had been serving on Sturt Operation Mantle – an investigation into drug-related crime.

Arrests were made following a joint investigation between the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) and SA Police Anti-Corruption Branch.

Six cops were arrested on Monday and bailed following charges of property-related theft and abuse of public office.

Among the allegations are claims of theft of liquor, tools and electronic goods, as well as some property damage.

Police were able to publish and discuss details of the arrests on the permission of ICAC Commissioner Bruce Lander QC.

“We work on reputation, we need public confidence and public support so that actions any police officers involved in any criminality or offending does have an impact,” Mr Lander said.

The arrests come in the same week as the SA ICAC released its first annual report.

The documents show that in just 12 months since the anti-corruption body was formed, more than 70 corruption investigations have already been started.

The commission had been largely operating in secret for its first year, a practice that Commissioner Lander has had to defend.

Speaking at the SA Press Club, Mr Lander said investigations “out of the public eye” were often the best way to catch those acting corruptly in public positions.

“If the officers who have been charged had known that I was carrying out an investigation into their conduct we would have gathered no evidence,” Mr Lander said.

“None of them would have been charged with any offence. All we would have been left with at the end was a suspicion that they had committed offences.”

The report tabled in Parliament showed the SA ICAC received 923 complaints, with 172 of those raising issues of potential corruption resulting in 71 investigations.