Brazil favela pacification operation - in pictures

A Brazilian military police helicopter flies over the Lins favela (shantytown) in Rio de Janeiro during pacification operations Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images

Police officers get out of an armoured vehicle Photograph: Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images

The introduction of the pacification programme is part of efforts to crack down on crime and increase security as Rio de Janeiro prepares to host the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament and the 2016 Olympic Games Photograph: Ricardo Moraes/REUTERS

City Hall workers clean the pavement before the ceremony dedicated to the new pacifying unit in the Lins favela Photograph: Fabio Teixeira/Demotix via Corbis

Residents watch as police on horseback go on patrol during a pacification operation Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

An armed soldier takes position in the favela Photograph: Gustavo Oliveira /Demotix via Corbis

A young child salutes next to a police officer during the pacification operation Photograph: Fabio Teixeira/Demotix/Corbis

Police officers patrol at the Arvore Seca slum Photograph: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters

A police officer on patrol in the Lins favela complex during a pacification operation in Rio de Janeiro Photograph: Silvia Izquierdo/AP

Residents watch as military police on horseback patrol during a pacification operation Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Special forces soldiers stand by as a military helicopter flies overhead during a pacification operation Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images