Crimes in Cambodia down 20% in 2008

PHNOM PENH, Crime occurrence dropped by 20 percent in 2008 over 2007, down to 8 an average day from 10, English-Khmer language newspaper the Cambodia Daily reported Thursday, quoting official figures.

There were altogether 2,881 crimes committed in Cambodia in 2008, compared with 3,732 in 2007, according to Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak.

Meanwhile, on average, less than one crime per day took place in the capital city in 2008, according to the national crime figures issued on Wednesday at the annual conference of the Interior Ministry.

There were only 351 criminal offenses recorded by police in 2008 in Phnom Penh, down from 357 in 2007, said the City Hall.

Considering the kingdom has a population of almost 14 million, it appears to be virtually crime-free, compared with countries with similar or smaller populations, according to the ministry.