The Public Security Institute (ISP) published crime rate data for February on Friday (28/03). Compared to the same month last year, the state of Rio de Janeiro saw an increase in intentional homicides, deaths resulting from police intervention, and major types of robbery — including cell phone theft, vehicle theft, street robbery, and cargo theft. In the case of cargo theft specifically, the number of incidents nearly doubled in February compared to the same month in 2024. Even the seizure of rifles, previously highlighted by the government as a public security success, showed a decline last month.
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Homicides
According to ISP data, intentional homicides rose by 2%. There were 243 victims in February, compared to 238 in the same month of the previous year. This comes after a period of decline: 2024 was the first year since the beginning of the historical series in 1991 to record fewer than 3,000 homicides, with a total of 2,938 deaths. Police killings, which had also declined last year to the lowest level since 2015, rose sharply in February. There were 79 deaths at the hands of police, a 44% increase compared to February 2024.
Robbery
Here are the February robbery statistics, along with the change compared to the same month in 2024:
- Vehicle robbery: 2,435 cases, up 20%.
- Cell phone robbery: 2,004 cases, up 19%.
- Street robbery: 4,995 cases, up 6%.
- Cargo theft: 319 cases, up 99%.
Vehicle Robbery
A total of 2,435 vehicles were reported stolen in February across the state, averaging 87 cases per day. Police districts in the Baixada Fluminense area reported the highest numbers. The 59th Police Precinct led with 169 reports, an average of six per day. It was followed by the 64th Precinct (Vilar dos Teles, São João de Meriti) and the 54th Precinct (Belford Roxo).
Cell Phone Robbery
Regarding cell phone robberies, the police precinct with the highest number of reports in February was in the South Zone of Rio. The 9th Police Precinct (Catete) recorded 99 cases — a 68% increase compared to the same month in 2024. Other precincts with high numbers included the 59th (Duque de Caxias), the 5th (Mem de Sá, in the city center), the 32nd (Taquara), and the 33rd (Realengo).
Seizure of Rifles
Weapons seizures, particularly of rifles, declined in February. A total of 59 rifles were confiscated, down from 66 in February 2024. In total, 492 firearms were removed from circulation by police forces during the month — representing an 8% decrease compared to the same period last year.
Police Productivity
Two indicators of police productivity showed an increase in February. There were 3,476 arrests made in the act (flagrante delicto), reflecting a 1.5% rise compared to February 2024. Drug seizures also increased slightly, up by 4% during the month.
Analysis:
The latest crime data for February in Rio de Janeiro reveals a concerning rise in violent crime, particularly in intentional homicides, police intervention deaths, and key robbery categories. The sharp increase in cargo theft (up 99%) suggests an evolution in criminal strategies, possibly reflecting improved coordination among criminal groups targeting high-value goods.
The rise in cell phone robberies, especially in areas like Catete, indicates an ongoing demand for stolen devices and the persistence of resale networks.
The increase in police-related deaths, after a period of decline, raises questions about shifts in policing tactics. While law enforcement interventions remain a key factor in crime control, high numbers of police killings often point to broader issues in security policy, including the challenges of de-escalation and community relations.
