TWO ex-Hampshire detectives who have helped bring child abusers to justice in Cambodia have been given one of the country’s highest awards.

John Geden and Nigel Lee were honoured for their work with the Child Protection Unit (CPU), which was set up in 2013 by NGO Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) to investigate crimes against children.

The award – a Mahasena (Commander) of the Royal Order of Sahametrei – is one of the highest honours available for non-Cambodian nationals and is given for “distinguished services to the King and to the people of Cambodia”.

It recognises their efforts to help protect vulnerable children in Cambodia and gave a voice to victims of child abuse.

Both from Southampton, John is a former detective inspector with Hampshire Constabulary, while Nigel retired in September 2017 as a detective sergeant after 25 years of service. He is now a lecturer in criminology at Solent University.

Working as volunteers, the former colleagues co-wrote and developed a training course for investigators and Cambodian police officers involved in child abuse and child homicide cases, while Nigel also helped develop the skills of female police officers specialising in interviewing child victims of sexual abuse.

Nigel, who began working with the CPU in 2013, received his award from In Bora, Deputy National Police Chief in Cambodia, following his attendance at a national crime initiative conference, 2019 Homicide Symposium, in Phnom Penh in June.

At the symposium – the first of its kind held in Cambodia – he gave workshops on techniques for interviewing in child abuse cases including homicide suspects.

Commenting on the award: “I was humbled and honoured. I spent much of my police career investigating child abuse.

“To be able to pass on this knowledge, and play a small part in Cambodian Children’s Fund and the CPU’s ongoing improvement and development of Cambodia’s police and judicial system is the least I can do.”

John Geden was given his award from In Bora at a separate ceremony in Phnom Penh.

He said: “I am humbled to receive this award and I am proud to have played a small part in the protection of children in Cambodia for the last 10 years.”

Since July 2013, the CPU has investigated 1,510 crimes against children, including 150 homicides.

The unit has worked on international child abuse cases, including assisting the 2018 investigation into a suspected UK paedophile in Cambodia, for which it was commended by the Metropolitan Police.

James McCabe, director operations at the CPU, said: “Crimes against children is a global issue and is even more difficult to combat in developing countries.

“Having experts like John and Nigel who were willing to give up their own time to support the CPU with their expertise, knowledge and experience was truly amazing and commendable.”