The city of São Paulo recorded an average of 46 cell phones stolen or robbed per day on public transportation between January and November of last year, according to data from the State Public Security Secretariat. Over this eleven-month period, more than 15,000 incidents were reported, revealing the scale of the problem for commuters. The overwhelming majority of these crimes occurred on trains and subway lines, which concentrate the largest passenger flows in the city and are therefore more attractive targets for criminals operating discreetly during peak hours.
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Number by Type of Transportation
- 14,609 cases were registered on trains and subways, confirming rail transport as the main setting for these crimes.
- 759 incidents occurred on buses.
- 15 cases were reported at airports.
- 128 incidents took place at bus stations.
Thefts
Most of the occurrences were classified as thefts, situations in which victims often do not immediately realize that their phones have been taken, usually due to the crowded environment and the use of distraction techniques by criminals.
- Thefts on public transport: 13,905 cases, representing 89% of the total.
- Robberies on public transport: 1,614 cases, or 11%, involving violence or the threat of force.
Main Locations
The highest concentration of incidents was recorded in areas surrounding the busiest transport hubs, where large passenger volumes create opportunities for quick and discreet action.
- 2,134 cases were registered at or near Luz station.
- 1,143 incidents occurred around Barra Funda station.
- 806 cases were recorded between stations along Avenida Paulista, Rua da Consolação, and nearby streets.
- 725 incidents took place on Avenida Cruzeiro do Sul and its surroundings.
- 689 cases were reported in the Pinheiros station area.
- 542 incidents occurred around Tatuapé station.
- 501 cases were recorded near República station.
Cell Phones
Thefts and robberies of cell phones on public transportation account for approximately 10% of all such crimes recorded citywide. Despite representing a fraction of the total, these incidents have a disproportionate impact on daily commuters.
Security Secretariat
The Metro reported that, in 80% of incidents, offenders are apprehended and taken to the police station. It also stated that its security network has over 900 agents and 5,000 cameras with artificial intelligence. CPTM (São Paulo Metropolitan Train Company) stated that it conducts visible and preventative patrols on trains and has nearly 8,000 cameras in stations, yards, and carriages. The State Secretariat of Public Security said that the total number of cell phone robberies and thefts fell by 17% in the state and 14% in the capital between January and November of last year. It also highlighted that, since 2023, more than 80,000 devices have been recovered, with the arrest of 1,200 criminals.
Analysis:
The data on cell phone thefts and robberies on public transportation in São Paulo point to a structural vulnerability inherent to mass transit systems in large metropolitan areas. Trains and subway lines concentrate high passenger volumes, limited personal space, and predictable routines, creating an ideal environment for thefts based on distraction and anonymity. The predominance of non-violent thefts indicates that most offenders rely on speed and invisibility rather than force, exploiting peak-hour congestion and the difficulty victims face in identifying the exact moment and location of the crime.
The geographic concentration of incidents around major transport hubs such as Luz, Barra Funda, and República reinforces the role of intermodal stations as high-risk zones. These areas combine dense passenger flows, complex circulation patterns, and frequent transfers, which increase both opportunity and escape routes for offenders.
Sources: G1.
