The number of crimes dealt with by the police in 2014 increased by 3.6 percent compared to the previous year, according to the National Police, a rise attributed in part to the prevalence of “demonstrations and strikes.”
A post on the National Police website Wednesday says that police recorded a total of 2,814 criminal cases last year—up from 2,716 in 2013—including 716 classified as “serious” crimes. Police made 3,076 arrests in 2,108 of the cases, according to the post.
“In general, criminal acts in 2014 increased slightly because of the situation of demonstrations and strikes that happened frequently,” it says. “The police forces were busy protecting people, [and] stealing and snatching were the most common of all misdemeanors.”
The post says police shot three people dead in the course of their work, but does not offer further details about the incidents.
It adds that 43 rifles, 37 handguns and nine grenades were confiscated, along with 552 motorbikes and 38 other vehicles. National Police spokesman Kirth Chantharith could not be reached Thursday.
