In 2022, the crime rate in Kandal province declined by 78 per cent compared to 2021, with the police resolving almost 96 per cent of all reported crimes, said a report from the provincial administration. It warned however, that there had been an increase in traffic accidents.

The report was released during a press conference to summarise the administration’s achievements of the past five years, held last week at the Royal Government Spokesperson Unit.

The report explained that the police commands of the provincial, town, district and commune administrations had stringently implemented the “safe village-commune” policy. Their work had received broad support from the public, as the residents of the province recognise the importance of security and public order.

“These efforts have resulted in a significant decline in crime in 2022. There was a 78 per cent overall decline in reported crime, and our officers solved 96 per cent of them. Unfortunately, there was a 10 per cent increase in traffic accidents,” it added.

Provincial governor Kong Sophorn said at the press conference that the decrease in crime was largely thanks to the combination of the close attention being paid to criminal activity by the authorities and the cooperation of the general public, as recommended by the safe village-commune policy.

“Crime declined by 78 per cent, largely thanks to the Ministry of Interior’s safe village-commune policy. We must not forget the participation of people under the policy’s principles of don’ts ¬– don’t deal drugs, don’t distribute drugs, don’t use drugs and don’t collude with drug dealers,” he added.

He said the authorities would redouble enforcement activities in 2023, and aimed to achieve similar figures next year.

“We have implemented strict measures against the perpetrators of all kinds of crimes, including theft, violent or sexual offending and all cases related to the distribution, production or use of illegal drugs,” he added.

He acknowledged that not all crimes were solved, but said the authorities would make more efforts to close all cases in the future.

“In 2021, we set the goal of establishing the safe village-commune policy in 2022, and did so, with great success,” he said.

He suggested that the major drivers of crime appeared to be gambling, drug use, and human trafficking.

Sophorn explained that the safe village-commune policy was implemented to guarantee the peace of the public.

“The policy is not just about reducing crime. It also provides development, political stability, public health and protects the environment,” he said.

He also noted that the decline in the crime rate was also likely to attract investors to the province.

The report noted the provincial administration’s pride in the excellent results of its implementation of the safe-village policy.