The recent statistics indicate that Puebla experienced a 23.57% increase in vehicle theft during the last quarter of 2024, positioning it as the fifth entity at the national level in this issue. According to an analysis conducted by the Institute for Management, Administration, and Municipal Linking (Igavim), based on data from the National Public Security Secretariat, 2,821 cases of auto theft were reported between October and December of last year in the entity, in contrast to the 2,283 cases recorded in the same period of 2023.
In terms of incidence, it is estimated that every 46 minutes and 36 seconds a criminal investigation is initiated for this crime in Puebla, which has a population of nearly 6.5 million inhabitants, resulting in a vehicle theft rate of 40.3 cases per 100,000 people. Nationally, in the fourth quarter of 2024, the states with the highest rates of auto theft were Baja California with 63.3 cases, Morelos with 60.5, Sinaloa with 48.7, and the State of Mexico with 40.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
In response to this alarming situation, the government of Puebla has launched a campaign to prevent fraud in the buying and selling of vehicles, warning about criminal gangs that deceive victims under the pretext of making a transaction, only to rob them of their cars and belongings.
In addition to vehicle theft, other crimes also showed increases in the last quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to the analysis from the Citizen Observatory: intentional homicide rose by 12.18%, negligent homicide by an alarming 165.66%, kidnapping by 75%, extortion by 62.50%, and domestic violence by 48.91%. These data reveal a troubling picture of increasing insecurity in the entity, highlighting the urgent need to implement more effective strategies to combat crime and protect citizens.
