Police presence is boosted on the streets in the wake of recent violence and pressure to keep peace during approaching World Cup
The decision to add more police came as a result of increased assaults in Rio which will host several matches including one quarter-final and the final. Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo believes some Brazilian’s think they can get away with anything and alluded to a recent incident in Recife where a supporter was killed when he was struck in the head by a toilet bowl hurled from a rival group of fans.
He said, “I think this feeling of impunity, which is not just in soccer, leads to, that in soccer, a criminal can take a toilet and throw it at other fans. I think that this environment in the country needs to stop; not just in soccer, but in everything.”
Whilst the world’s eyes slowly turn to the world cup hosts — reports have emerged that muggings are on the rise in the area around the Marcana Stadium while in recent weeks fire fights between police and gangs in the so-called ‘pacified’ slums have been rife.
