At a meeting between the two officials on Tuesday, Preah Sihanouk provincial police chief Chuon Narin and Australian ambassador to Cambodia Pablo Kang committed to preventing cross-border crimes and violence against women and children.

Narin expressed his gratitude to Australia for its support to a wide range of Cambodian initiatives, including the development of agriculture, infrastructure, rural development, legal procedures and fighting cross-border crimes and violence against women and children.

“We discussed general work [initiatives] and we have committed to preventing cross-border crimes,” he said.

National Police officials, Narin said, had worked with Australian police officers in the past, but crimes involving both countries don’t happen often.

Besides preventing crime, Narin said it was important to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

The Post could not reach Kang for further comment on Wednesday and did not receive a response from officials at the Australian embassy by press time.

Adhoc Preah Sihanouk provincial coordinator Cheap Sotheary said on Wednesday she noticed that provincial authorities have been working on preventing cross-border crimes and had previously worked with other foreign entities to tackle such matters.

“As part of a civil society group in charge of human rights, I urge the authorities to take greater measures to prevent violence against women and children. I am particularly concerned about violence against children.

“They do not go to school [due to Covid-19] and by nature, children are playful, so they could possibly face violence. Only the authorities can help prevent it and educate guardians to pay attention to this issue, Sotheary said.