The main robbery indicators increased between January and October this year in the State of Rio de Janeiro, according to data from the Public Security Institute (ISP) released on Monday (25/11). Street robberies rose by 23% in October and 13% in the year-to-date, while cargo robberies grew by 87%. Violent lethality decreased, reaching the lowest number of victims in 34 years. Meanwhile, vehicle robberies increased.
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Street Robberies
The Public Security Institute (ISP) released its report with data for October this year. Street robberies rose by 23% compared to the same month last year. In the year-to-date from January to October, the figure showed a 13% increase.
Cargo Theft
Cargo thefts rose by 87% last month. However, compared to the year-to-date of last year, there was a 9% reduction.
Violent Lethality
Violent lethality, which encompasses various fatal crimes, remained practically stable in October while recording a 14% decrease in the year-to-date. According to the ISP, violent lethality includes intentional homicides, robberies followed by death (latrocínio), bodily injuries resulting in death, and deaths caused by state agents. A total of 3,107 deaths were recorded, 486 fewer than the 3,593 registered in the first ten months of the previous year, marking the lowest number of victims in 34 years, according to the agency.
Deaths Caused by State Agents
Deaths caused by state agents decreased by 21% over 305 days, reaching the lowest rate since 2015.
Intentional Homicides
Intentional homicides recorded a 13% reduction in the year-to-date and 8% in October, marking the lowest numbers for these periods in the past 34 years.
Weapons Seized
The police seized 642 long guns, a 22% increase compared to the same period in 2023, averaging two seizures per day. In addition, 5,287 firearms were confiscated from criminals, representing an average of 17 weapons seized every 24 hours.
Recovered Vehicles
Vehicle robberies increased by 76% in October. In the year-to-date, the number rose by 34%. By October, 15,170 vehicles (stolen and robbed) had been recovered, averaging 50 per day, representing a 23% increase compared to 2023.
Areas with the Most Vehicle Robberies
The five police station areas (Cisps, or Integrated Public Security Districts) with the highest increase in vehicle thefts between January and October of this year, compared to the same period last year, were: 77th DP (Icaraí), with an increase from 5 to 26 cases, representing 420%; 5th DP (Mem de Sá), from 20 to 66 cases, an increase of 230%; 18th DP (Praça da Bandeira), from 122 to 373 cases, an increase of 206%; 14th DP (Leblon), from 6 to 17 cases, an increase of 183%; and 79th DP (Jurujuba), from 15 to 42 cases, an increase of 180%.
Areas with the Most Cell Phone Robberies
The police station areas that recorded the greatest increase in cell phone thefts, using the same criteria applied to vehicle thefts, were: 54th DP (Belford Roxo), from 345 to 1,111 cases, an increase of 222%; 15th DP (Gávea), from 76 to 176 cases, an increase of 131%; 33rd DP (Realengo), from 264 to 574 cases, an increase of 117%; 93rd DP (Volta Redonda), from 12 to 26 cases, an increase of 117%; and 58th DP (Posse), from 218 to 471 cases, an increase of 116%.
Analysis:
The recent surge in street robberies, vehicle thefts, and cargo thefts in Rio de Janeiro reflects a combination of structural vulnerabilities and shifting criminal dynamics. Public spaces remain inadequately monitored, with insufficient police presence, poor lighting, and the strategic exploitation of escape routes by criminals. These gaps create an environment where offenders operate with a sense of impunity, targeting areas with weak deterrents and high potential rewards.
Cargo thefts highlight the adaptability of organized crime groups, which constantly refine their strategies to evade law enforcement. Despite occasional successes in curbing these crimes, criminals often shift their focus to less protected regions or adapt methods to exploit logistical blind spots. This poses a significant challenge, as it not only disrupts supply chains but also signals that law enforcement efforts, while impactful, lack the sustained intensity needed to dismantle these networks fully..
