Manaus Ranks 7th in Brazil for Cell Phone Theft and Robbery Rates
Manaus, the capital of Amazonas, ranks seventh nationally for cell phone theft and robbery, with 1,107.1 devices stolen per 100,000 inhabitants in 2025. This data comes from the 20th Brazilian Public Security Yearbook, released by the Brazilian Public Security Forum (FBSP). The report, which analyzes municipalities with over 100,000 residents, found that only six other cities had higher rates. São Luís, Belém, São Paulo, Salvador, Lauro de Freitas, and Porto Velho recorded higher figures. Six of the top 20 cities with the highest cell phone theft and robbery rates are in Brazil's North region, including Manaus, Belém, Porto Velho, Ananindeua, Marituba, and Macapá. The FBSP noted that these crimes are predominantly concentrated in large urban centers, particularly capitals and metropolitan areas, with 14 of the top 20 municipalities being state capitals. The study also indicates a nationwide decrease of 18.6% in cell phone robberies in 2025, with 26 out of 27 federal units experiencing a reduction. Rio de Janeiro was the sole state to see an increase. The FBSP attributes this decline to enhanced blocking tools like the "Celular Seguro" program, improved manufacturer security features, and increased efforts against the resale of stolen devices. While Manaus faces a high rate of phone theft, Amazonas is among nine states with intentional homicide rates below the national average, alongside Piauí, Goiás, Paraná, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul, the Federal District, São Paulo, and Santa Catarina. The yearbook compiles data from state Public Security and Social Defense Secretariats, official institutes, and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).
The concentration of high cell phone theft and robbery rates in major urban centers, especially capitals and metropolitan areas, highlights systemic vulnerabilities in public safety infrastructure and urban planning. While national data shows a decrease in phone robberies, potentially linked to technological countermeasures and anti-reception initiatives, the persistent high rates in specific cities like Manaus suggest that localized crime prevention strategies and socio-economic factors require targeted attention. The disparity between overall national trends and localized issues underscores the complexity of addressing urban crime, which is often influenced by factors such as population density, economic inequality, and the effectiveness of law enforcement and judicial processes in deterring both theft and the subsequent illicit market. Future policy considerations should focus on integrated approaches that combine technological solutions with community-based initiatives and economic development programs to reduce the underlying incentives for criminal activity.
AI-generated to prompt reflection — not editorial opinion, not advice, not a statement of fact. How this works.