The Phnom Penh Municipal Administration and police officials have prepared measures to minimise thefts and robberies ahead of next week’s New Year’s celebrations.

Phnom Penh Municipal Hall spokesman Meth Meas Pheakdey said municipal governor Khuong Sreng had instructed the capital’s police to further strengthen security during a meeting with the Phnom Penh Unit Command on Monday.

“When large festivals are scheduled in Phnom Penh and other provinces, officials are always on a higher state of alert than other days. Our countrymen gather at various locations to join festivals or other programmes, so we must always consider their security,” Meas Pheakdey said.

Phnom Penh Municipal Police chief Sar Thet said he had instructed police forces to crack down on gambling and illegal drug-related offences ahead of the celebrations.

“We have arranged for forces to protect people who gather to join in the festivities at all places. We have also readied forces to direct traffic at night and protect people at entertainment venues and other places against the threat of violence.

“However, crackdowns are not finished but have gone as quiet as a horse thief,” Sar Thet said using a popular Khmer language idiom.

“We will collaborate with the Phnom Penh municipal administration across the 14 districts to reduce crimes and lower instances of looting, snatching and robberies,” Sar Thet stressed.