Ceara, Brazil Sees Significant Increase in Arrests and Reduction in Violent Crimes in First Half of 2025

Strategic Insights -

Ceara, a state in Brazil, has reported a significant increase in arrests and reduction in violent crimes in the first half of 2025. According to data compiled by the Superintendence of Public Security Research and Strategy (Supesp), an agency linked to the Secretariat of Public Security and Social Defense (SSPDS), a total of 17,151 arrests were made in the first six months of 2025, a 13.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The number of arrests for involvement in Intentional Violent Lethal Crimes (CVLIs) increased by 28.2% when compared to the same period in 2024.

Key Takeaways:

  • The daily capture of nearly 100 suspects involved in crimes in Ceara resulted in 17,151 arrests in the first six months of 2025, totaling 2,054 more arrests than in the same period in 2024.
  • The number of arrests for involvement in CVLIs, including homicides, femicides, bodily harm resulting in death, and robberies, increased by 313 from the same period in 2024, with a total of 1,421 arrests in 2025.
  • The Southern Interior region saw the highest increase in arrests of CVLI suspects, with a 42.4% increase, totaling 336 arrests in 2025, compared to 236 in 2024.
  • Arrests for belonging to a criminal organization increased by 45.1% in the first half of 2025, with 904 arrests recorded, compared to 623 in the same period in 2024.
  • The Fortaleza Metropolitan Region saw a 30.7% increase in CVLI arrests, totaling 416 arrests in 2025, compared to 299 in 2024.
  • The Northern Interior region saw a 2.6% increase in CVLI arrests, totaling 274 arrests in 2025, compared to 267 in 2024.

Statistics:

  • Total arrests in Ceara in the first six months of 2025: 17,151
  • Total arrests in the same period in 2024: 15,097
  • Percentage increase in total arrests: 13.6%
  • Arrests for CVLI in the first six months of 2025: 1,421
  • Arrests for CVLI in the same period in 2024: 1,108
  • Increase in CVLI arrests: 313
  • Percentage increase in CVLI arrests: 28.2%
  • Arrests for belonging to a criminal organization in the first six months of 2025: 904
  • Arrests for belonging to a criminal organization in the same period in 2024: 623
  • Increase in arrests for belonging to a criminal organization: 281
  • Percentage increase in arrests for belonging to a criminal organization: 45.1%

Sources:

  • "No 1o semestre de 2025, prisões por integrar organização criminosa aumentaram 45,1%. Já capturas por homicídio cresceram 28,2 no Ceará" (https://www.ceara.gov.br/2025/07/17/no-1o-semestre-de-2025-prisoes-por-integrar-organizacao-criminosa-aumentaram-451-ja-capturas-por-homicidio-cresceram-282-no-ceara/)