A SOUTHAMPTON lecturer has scooped a top award.

Nigel Lee, a criminology lecturer from Southampton Solent University was bestowed with an award from the the Cambodian government.

The Mahasena of the Royal Order of Sahametrei was given to Nigel on behalf of the King of Cambodia as part of his work with the child protection unit , which is a Cambodian children's fund initiative.

The award is the second highest honour available for non-Cambodian nationals.

The Cambodian children’s fund works to transform the country's most impoverished children into tomorrow's leaders, by delivering education, family support and community development programs in Phnom Penh.

The CPU works in cooperation with the Cambodian National Police to investigate crimes committed against children, prosecute offenders and support child victims of crime.

Nigel has been involved with the CPU since it began in 2013.

He has been assisting with the development of staff and the Cambodian National Police.

He designed and co-wrote two courses: ‘child abuse and serious crime investigation’ and ‘interviewing child victims’, both of which have become training tools for CPU staff and police officers.

As well as this, the course has led to a change in the way evidence is delivered at court from children who have been victims of abuse.

Nigel has also co-written a practical guide for police officers taking statements from victims of sexual abuse, which aims to increase the standard of evidence gained from vulnerable victims.

Nigel was given the award by In Bora, deputy national police chief and director general of central criminal department, following his attendance at a national crime initiative conference.

Nigel commented: “I was humbled and honoured to receive this award.

"Child protection is a major worldwide concern.

"I spent much of my police career investigating child abuse as well as being accredited to the highest level in interviewing suspects and witnesses available in the UK.

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

"It is vital that we invest our time and technological advances to help stamp out those who seek to abuse and manipulate those who are not able to defend themselves.”

James McCabe, Director Operations at the CPU, said: "Nigel has been involved with the Child Protection Unit since it began.

"His experience and knowledge has been invaluable to our success, along with the development of best practices in police investigation and techniques in cases of child abuse in Cambodia.

"Nigel’s award was in recognition of his long-term commitment to helping the CPU and Cambodian National Police achieve our mission, and we are delighted for him."