violence

Mexico City: 1 in 5 residents has been a victim of crime

Reuters

More than 20 percent of Mexico City residents have been victims of crime this year, according to a university study. The Autonomous Metropolitan University said its survey of 1,660 Mexico City residents showed that 22 percent of the estimated 9 million residents of the Mexican capital were victims of theft or another crime from January to July. Crime has soared since a peso devaluation in December 1994 and a subsequent economic crisis forced thousands out of work. The university survey said the most frequent crimes were street robberies at 22 percent; theft in public transport, 20 percent; and auto theft, theft while in cars and armed attack, each at 8 percent.