Brazil's Rio state reports sharp fall in violent deaths

Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state registered a significant fall in violent deaths but rising criminal numbers in April, official sources said on Monday.

According to Public Security Institute, the total number of violent deaths in the state - murders, larcenies, and deaths in grave injuries and confrontations with the police-fell 11.3 percent to 485 in April, surpassing a 6.67 percent fall expectation in 2011.

However, the Institute said 2,196 people were arrested, up 30.9 percent from the same period last year. Weapons seizures rose 11.8 percent and drug seizures increased 34.3 percent.

The Institute also said the number of murder victims in the state dropped from 432 to 403 while vehicle thefts and mugging fell by 16.3 percent and 15.6 percent respectively.

Source: Xinhua

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