Rio has a very high crime rate, especially homicide, in poor areas dominated by gangs. As of 2007, the homicide rate of the greater metropolitan area stands at nearly 80 victims per week, with the majority of victims falling to assault, stray bullets or narcoterrorism. In 2006 2,273 people were murdered in the city giving it a murder rate of 37.7 cases for every 100,000 people, down from 45 cases as registred in 2001 as a comparison London's murder rate in 2004 was 2.4 cases for every 100,000 population. Between 1978 and 2000, 49,900 people were killed in Rio. The numbers are comparable with war conflict zones like Baghdad and Kabul. The Urban Warfare involves drug-traffic battle with police fighting against outlaws, or even corrupt policemen on their side.
Rio de Janeiro's low paid and ill-equipped police are violent as well.