Bag snatchings jump: EU
After being presented with statistics showing a more than 100 per cent rise in petty crime against foreigners, Minister of Interior Sar Kheng yesterday called on police officials to look into what’s causing the problem. … Nicolas Baudouin, a spokesman for the French Embassy, confirmed that a meeting between Kheng and a group of ambassadors and chargé d’affaires of EU embassies in Cambodia took place last week. The diplomatic representatives were there to “convey our concerns regarding the increase of petty crimes, typically bag snatching against European citizens either visiting or residing in Cambodia,” Baudouin said. The figures compiled by EU member states are based on reports of stolen passports following thefts. They show an increase from 139 stolen passports in 2011 to 190 in 2012 then a dramatic leap to 332 last year. … Kheng said that his “preliminary conclusion” for the spike in low-level crime was a lack of resources, as forces were redirected to maintain order at opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party rallies. He also said that some foreigners may be pretending to lose passports in order to avoid paying invalid visa fees. Yim Sovann, an opposition spokesman, dismissed Kheng’s first theory. …
Vong Sokheng and Joe Freeman
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/bag-snatchings-jump-eu
