SUMMARY
In 2024, Rio de Janeiro experienced a scenario marked by persistent urban violence, shifting criminal dynamics, and notable changes in crime trends. While the number of homicides remained stable compared to the previous year, police intervention deaths significantly decreased. Conversely, missing persons cases and property crimes such as theft and robbery increased across the city, especially in wealthier South Zone neighborhoods. Drug trafficking factions and militias continue to expand their reach and diversify their illegal activities.
This Content Is Only For Subscribers
To unlock this content, subscribe to INTERLIRA Reports.
Introduction
Crime and violence in Rio de Janeiro display both structural and cyclical patterns. Areas such as Baixada Fluminense, Greater Niterói, and some other locations in the capital consistently reported higher crime rates. The analysis was based on data from Crime in Rio: Official Data and Analyses, a study by the Center for Studies on Security and Citizenship (CESeC), using statistics from the Public Security Institute of Rio de Janeiro (ISP).
In 2024, violent deaths continued to decline, including a big drop in killings committed by police. This trend reflects court rulings (such as the ADPF das Favelas), body camera adoption, political pressure, and changes in territorial control by armed groups. Overall, homicides by police reached their lowest levels in years. However, this reduction did not translate into a stronger sense of public safety.
Conversely, property crimes rose sharply. Robberies increased by 17%, and vehicle thefts by 39%, with limited and delayed institutional responses. The number of missing persons also exceeded 6,000, potentially masking homicides, kidnappings, and human trafficking. The lack of in-depth analysis on this issue raises concerns.
In summary, while lethal violence dropped, 2024 also revealed the growing influence of armed groups and a surge in property crimes and disappearances, challenging perceptions of improved public security.
Intentional Homicides
In 2024, the state of Rio de Janeiro recorded a historic low in intentional homicides, with 2,930 deaths, a 11% decrease compared to 2023. This decline resumes a downward trend that had been interrupted in 2023 by a 7.6% increase, largely due to conflicts between militia groups and the Red Command (CV), particularly in some neighborhoods in Rio’s West Zone, such as Itanhangá, Gardênia Azul, Rio das Pedras, Tijuquinha, Anil, and Muzema. The most notable reductions occurred in the Greater Niterói region (-28.4%), followed by the state’s interior (-13.6%), Baixada Fluminense (-10.0%), and the capital (-5.5%).
Despite the overall improvement, the areas of some police battalions – formally known as Integrated Public Security Areas (AISP) –, recorded significant spikes in lethal violence. Notably, Ilha do Governador (AISP 17) saw a 106.3% increase in homicides, driven by clashes between Red Command (CV) traffickers and militiamen in communities such as Barbante, Dendê, and Morro do Querosene. In Tijuca (AISP 6), homicides rose by 94.1% amid renewed conflicts in Morro dos Macacos. Campo Grande (AISP 40) experienced a 74.2% surge, largely due to CV’s attempts to expand into militia-controlled areas.
The data reveals the need to closely monitor areas with rising violence and to tailor public security responses to local dynamics. Although the overall homicide rate suggests progress, the uneven distribution points to hidden pockets of escalating conflict, especially in zones where criminal groups compete for territorial control.
Deaths Caused by Police Intervention
In 2024, Rio de Janeiro recorded its lowest number of deaths caused by police intervention since 2015, with 699 cases—a 19.7% decrease compared to 2023. This sustained drop follows a sharp decline that began in the second half of the previous year and is attributed to several factors, including increased oversight after the ADPF das Favelas ruling[1], the gradual adoption of body-worn cameras, political negotiations at the federal level, and public backlash over high-profile cases involving civilian deaths.
However, transparency remains a challenge. The state government has yet to release comprehensive data on the use and distribution of body cameras, making it difficult to assess their real impact. While most regions experienced reductions in police-related killings, some areas saw significant increases. Notably, São João de Meriti (AISP 21) rose by 37.2%, Pavuna (AISP 41) by 21.7%, and Bonsucesso (AISP 22) by 50%.
Data from the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region also reveal that, despite an overall decline in armed violence, disparities persist. The region still averaged seven shootouts per day in 2024. Of particular concern, 26 children were shot—despite a general drop in shootouts from 9,633 in 2018 to 2,532 in 2024. Police operations accounted for 36% of all shootouts, the highest share ever recorded.
Missing Persons
The number of missing persons in the state of Rio de Janeiro continues to rise, reaching 6,047 cases in 2024—a 4.0% increase compared to the previous year. This marks the second consecutive annual increase, following a 10.7% rise in 2023. The interior of the state experienced the sharpest growth in 2024, with a 9.4% increase in reported disappearances. Baixada Fluminense and the capital also contributed to this upward trend, with increases of 5.4% and 2.1%, respectively. Greater Niterói was the only region to record a decline, with a 3.7% drop in cases.
The general category of “missing persons” encompasses a wide range of underlying situations, including homicides with concealment of the body, abductions, kidnappings, and human trafficking. Alarmingly, the steady decline in reported homicides may, at least in certain areas, be partially offset or masked by the rise in disappearances. Even if only a small percentage of these disappearances are later found to be intentional killings, they would still represent a significant hidden burden of lethal violence in the state.
The Baixada Fluminense and the West Zone of Rio’s capital—areas heavily influenced by militia groups—continue to register the highest numbers of disappearances.
Street Robbery
Street robbery—an indicator composed of three categories: passers-by robbery, cell phone robbery, and public transport robbery—is a key metric not only because it is part of the Integrated Goals System, but also because it directly impacts public perception of security in urban areas. In 2024, the state of Rio de Janeiro recorded a 13.6% increase in this category, reversing the downward trend seen the previous year. The capital city led this rise with a 19.4% increase, followed by Baixada Fluminense with 13.0%. In contrast, Greater Niterói and the interior recorded declines of 5.7% and 26.9%, respectively.
Among subcategories, cell phones remained the most frequently targeted item. Robberies jumped from 15,496 in 2023 to 21,423 in 2024—an alarming 38.25% increase. This spike highlights the continued relevance of traditional property crimes in Rio’s criminal landscape.
Several police areas (AISPs) saw significant surges in street robbery. In the area of the 22nd Battalion (AISP 22) (Bonsucesso), incidents rose by 61.0%; in the neighborhoods patrolled by the 2nd Battalion (AISP 2) (Botafogo), by 58.4%; in AISP 39 (Belford Roxo), by 40.0%; in AISP 6 (Tijuca), by 32.6%; and AISP 20 (Nova Iguaçu), by 26.7%. Other notable, although lower, increases occurred in AISP 23 (Leblon), in AISP 4 (São Cristóvão); in AISP 27 (Santa Cruz); in AISP 18 (Jacarepaguá); and in AISP 40 (Campo Grande).
At the same time, Rio is experiencing a steady rise in cyber fraud and extortion. Unlike other Brazilian states where digital crime has replaced street offenses, Rio faces a dual challenge—both are rising. In 2024, fraud cases totaled 144,118, a 20% increase over the 120,218 reported in 2023.
Cargo Robbery
After six consecutive years of decline, cargo robbery in Rio de Janeiro rose by 6.6% in 2024, signaling a possible shift in public security trends. The state recorded 3,438 incidents—an average of nine truck robberies per day—resulting in estimated losses of R$325 million. The crimes were highly concentrated: 99% occurred in the Metropolitan Region, and over half were registered in areas under the jurisdictions of just eight police districts. These districts are strategically located near major highways and industrial zones, including the Washington Luís (BR-040), Presidente Dutra, BR-101, and Arco Metropolitano.
The capital city saw a 24.3% increase, while Greater Niterói rose by 61.0%. In contrast, the interior and Baixada Fluminense experienced drops of 34.6% and 11.9%, respectively. Several police areas recorded alarming surges: AISP 4 (São Cristóvão) rose by 183.3%, AISP 6 (Tijuca) by 166.7%, and AISP 7 (São Gonçalo) by 101.9%. In São Gonçalo, 66% of annual cases occurred in November and December alone.
The Port of Rio, a major logistics hub, also saw a 48% rise in incidents. Meanwhile, the area of the 27th Police District (Vicente de Carvalho) and of the 31st Police District (Anchieta) more than doubled their cases compared to 2023. These patterns suggest shifting criminal routes and growing vulnerabilities in key logistics corridors.
Vehicle Robbery
Among the robbery categories analyzed, vehicle robbery showed the most significant surge in 2024, with a statewide increase of 39.0%. Greater Niterói registered the sharpest rise at 48.6%, followed closely by the capital with 40.4%, and Baixada Fluminense with 40.6%.
When examining the distribution by police area (AISP), some of the most notable increases occurred in the area under the jurisdiction of the 4th Battalion (AISP 4), in the neighborhoods of São Cristóvão, Catumbi, Cidade Nova, Estácio, Rio Comprido, Caju, Mangueira, Vasco da Gama, and parts of central area. In this area, incidents more than doubled, with a 103.9% rise, jumping from 362 to 738 reports. AISP 6 (Tijuca) followed with a 91.5% increase, from 591 to 1,132. AISP 16 (Olaria) climbed 74.7%, from 906 to 1,583 cases. AISP 5 (Centro) rose 72.1%, from 111 to 191. AISP 22 (Bonsucesso) recorded a 69.0% increase, from 680 to 1,149, and AISP 20 (Nova Iguaçu) rose 68.1%, from 1,889 to 3,175. In the South Zone, AISP 2 (Botafogo) saw a 67.8% rise, from 239 to 401, and AISP 17 (Ilha do Governador) increased by 63.4%, from 93 to 152.
Property Crimes
In 2024, Rio de Janeiro experienced a sharp and widespread surge in property crimes, reversing the relative stability observed in previous years. All major indicators of this type of crime increased, including street robberies, vehicle robberies, cargo robbery, and robberies on public transportation. Vehicle robberies rose by a staggering 39%, while street robberies increased by 17% overall. Nonetheless, despite early warning signs throughout the year, authorities were slow to respond, and effective countermeasures were only introduced in early 2025.
The growth in property crimes reflects deeper structural issues in Rio’s criminal economy. These crimes are part of organized networks, involving not only those who commit them but also intermediaries and criminal entrepreneurs who profit from the sales and distribution of stolen items.
Meanwhile, traditional property crimes in Rio have continued to rise alongside a steady growth in cybercrimes such as fraud and extortion. Unlike in other Brazilian states, where digital crimes have started to replace street crimes, Rio de Janeiro is facing a double burden: both categories are growing simultaneously.
Criminal Groups
One of the most complex aspects of Rio de Janeiro’s public security is the entrenched and expanding power of organized crime, split primarily between drug trafficking factions and militias. The Red Command (CV) remains the state’s most powerful gang, controlling extensive territories across both the North and South Zones. Its main rival, the Third Pure Command (TCP), is based in areas like the Complexo de Israel in Cordovil and has forged strategic alliances with militia groups to counter CV’s dominance.
Militias—initially formed by former and active security officers—control large parts of Rio’s West Zone and Baixada Fluminense. However, these groups have fractured due to internal power struggles. The CV has seized this opportunity to expand aggressively, launching attacks on rival groups and successfully taking over contested areas. Currently, CV is actively attempting to seize three key territories: Complexo da Pedreira (held by TCP), Rio das Pedras (a militia stronghold), and Morro dos Macacos (also controlled by TCP).
[1] The ADPF das Favelas Case is a citizens’ initiative to tackle police violence in Rio de Janeiro. The case was submitted to the Supreme Court in November 2019 by the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB). The case was calling for concrete measures to reduce lethality and guarantee justice to the victims. In 2020, the organizations that were participating in the case requested the temporary suspension of all non-essential police operations. In a historic ruling, the rapporteur of the case, Justice Edson Fachin, accepted the request and this decision was later confirmed.
