Synopsis: Authorities record a 31% hike in offences from September, detaining 401 suspects.

The National Police handled 269 criminal cases and detained 401 suspects in October, an increase of 64 cases and 86 suspects compared with September, according to the Ministry of Interior.

In a video on Wednesday, the ministry said police conducted operations nationwide to prevent, suppress and solve criminal offences, with case files prepared for submission to the courts.

The October total represented a 31% increase from September, when authorities handled 205 cases and detained 315 suspects.

Theft and violence accounted for the largest share of cases, with police recording 125 theft cases and 80 violence cases. Together, the two categories made up more than three-quarters of the total.

Both rose from September, when police handled 91 theft cases and 64 violence cases.

Other offences recorded in October included 16 rape cases, 10 murder cases, seven robbery cases, seven fraud cases and six snatching cases.

Police reported four sexual assault cases, two cases of involuntary manslaughter, two cases of unlawful detention, one acid attack and one extortion case.

According to the ministry, the cases were recorded in Phnom Penh and 22 provinces, including Kandal, Preah Sihanouk, Siem Reap, Banteay Meanchey, Kampot, Battambang, Svay Rieng, Takeo and Prey Veng.

The ministry noted that the figures reflect criminal cases prevented, suppressed or solved through police operations rather than a comprehensive count of all offences committed nationwide.

It highlighted penalties under the 2009 Criminal Code for offences including theft, intentional violence, fraud and murder.