PHNOM PENH, May 9, 2024 – In a proactive move to enhance local security, the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Police Commissioner is spearheading an initiative to conduct detailed censuses of karaoke venues, hotels, and guesthouses throughout the province. This initiative is in alignment with directives from both the National Police Commissioner and the Ministry of Interior.

Colonel Lay Kim Loun, Director of the Office of Anti-Human Trafficking and Protection of Minors at the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Police, highlighted the actions taken by his team in the first week of May. They have carried out extensive surveys and enforced regulations across various establishments including dance and singing businesses, restaurants, massage parlors, rental accommodations, and entertainment clubs. The operations involved coordination with several local authorities, including the Serei Sophorn City Police Inspectorate and administration officials from Sangkat Preah Ponlea O'Ambel and Kampong Svay.

During these inspections, statistics were gathered on two karaoke venues, three hotels, two guesthouses, and one massage parlor within Sangkat Preah Ponlea, O'Ambel, Kampong Svay, and Serei Sophorn City in Banteay Meanchey Province.

Colonel Lay Kim Loun emphasized that the goal of this census is to strengthen safety and public order. Venue owners have been instructed to ensure that no employees under 18 are working at their establishments to prevent exploitation and violence. They are also required to maintain records of their staff's IDs as a security measure.

Furthermore, the police have urged venue owners to be vigilant about their clientele's behaviour. If they suspect that any patron might pose a security risk or if any incidents of insecurity occur, they must report immediately to the competent authorities for swift action.

This initiative is part of a broader policy aimed at creating safer villages, communes, and sangkats, and includes comprehensive efforts to combat drug offenses, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and gang activity within the community.