The number of thefts and pickpockets in the capital decreased in June by nine cases, or about 18 per cent compared to May and an official puts it down to police bringing the problem under control, said the Phnom Penh municipal police report.

In the report released on July 18, overall offences in Phnom Penh were 42 cases in June and 51 in May. There was a slight drop in thefts in June to 33 compare to 36 in May and for pickpockets during the same period it was a drop of six cases.

The report added that police were tasked with arresting thieves and pickpockets. They had busted 42 cases and arrested 67 suspects, equalling 100 per cent of offences, 33 of which are thefts and nine pickpockets. Of the suspects, 54 were found to have used drugs, or 81 per cent.

Boeung Keng Kang district police chief Sim Piseth told The Post on July 18 that there were no thefts and pickpockets in his area, but he did not specify why.

Daun Penh district police chief Teang Chansa said that acting on the orders of Phnom Penh municipal police chief Sar Thet, specialists in the district had brought the situation under control, thereby steadily reducing the number of pickpockets and thefts.

He added that the police in the capital were cracking down to make people in the capital feel safe and secure.