Seven ‘gangsters’ were arrested last week in connection with stunt riding motorcycles in the capital’s Chroy Changvar district. Phnom Penh Municipal Police
Deputy National Police Chief and Phnom Penh Municipal Police Chief Lieutenant General Chuon Narin has ordered the police force to redouble their efforts to prevent and crack down on juvenile offending in 2025.
In line with government orders, he has laid out plans for officers to control gang activity and maintain public order.
This includes public education campaigns at the grassroots level in any public forums, strengthened enforcement measures and increased legal action.
He also issued specific instructions for command for police, particularly those overseeing criminal activities, to lead efforts to eradicate juvenile delinquency. This will include targeting reckless motorcycle “stunt riding” and the deployment of patrols and the adaptation of new methods to enhance the effectiveness of government policies.
Last week, Prime Minister Hun Manet ordered the provincial and capital governors, National Police, and Military Police to crack down on gangs and ensure that perpetrators are punished to the full extent of the law.
Speaking at the December 31 closing ceremony of an annual meeting to review the 2024 work of the national police establish plans for the coming year, Minister of Interior Sar Sokha urged the officers under the interior ministry to continue to develop plans to suppress gang activity, especially in provinces which are major tourist destinations.
“All law enforcement forces must mobilise their resources and crack down on any ‘gangsters’ activities which still occur. I call for the enforcement to be tightened up even further,” he said.
He also agreed on a measure employed by some provincial police units. They inspect guesthouses regularly, as young offenders sometimes rent them to stay overnight. He also called for the full cooperation of accommodation operators, parents, guardians and teachers.
While acknowledging that they cannot prevent them all, Narin noted that the authorities are constantly prepared to suppress any incidents that occur.
He explained that the gang’s activities included attacking each other, robberies, theft and even murder. In the four days from December 28 to 31, 2024, Phnom Penh police cracked down on 26 gangsters involved in 14 cases.
Narin also highlighted that the tools used in these activities, such as knives and swords, are often fabricated by the delinquent groups themselves.
Additionally, the police have been instructed to continue monitoring souvenir shops, as some of the materials are being repurposed into weapons, such as knives or swords, used by these groups.
Cambodian courts have processed 2,115 juvenile delinquency cases, with 3,300 juveniles detained in the past seven months. Phnom Penh has seen a higher number of juvenile delinquency cases compared to other provinces.
