By Damien Gayle Don't use your mobile phone in public in Rio. And if you do, and someone tries to nick it, don't argue. Muggers often kill victims who resist. These are the warnings residents in Brazil have offered to football fans who will be heading to their country for the World Cup this summer. The advice comes as the country was pitched into near anarchy today after thousands of police went on strike to demand a near doubling of pay. Scroll down for video. Policemen stand guard inside the Maracana stadium: World Cup travellers have been given fresh warnings over safety in Brazil, as the country's civil police staged a one-day walkout over pay
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Civil police walk out over pay in 14 states including Rio de Janeiro
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They are demanding an 80 per cent pay rise - just 22 days before Word Cup
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Comes as warnings issued to football fans visiting the country next month
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Rio public transport is particularly dangerous, with a surge in robberies
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Be aware of your surroundings and what area you are in. The U.S. State Department notes on its website that 'public transportation hubs, hotel sectors, and tourist areas are the locations with the highest crime rates.'
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Avoid wearing flashy jewellery - or any at all.
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Take special care when using a smartphone in public. Avoid using it on public transport. If you need to make or take a call, step off the street and into a store.
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Violent protests have rocked Rio, Sao Paulo and other cities in the past year. Be aware of any planned protests and avoid them.
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If you are mugged - don't react, just hand over your belongings. Criminals often kill targets that resist muggings.
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Report crimes to the nearest police precinct.
But even when police are not staging union action, @placeholder's cities can be hazardous to unwary visitors.
Commuters ride a bus in @placeholder: The situation in Rio's public transport has gotten so bad that state lawmakers have proposed the creation of a specialised police battalion for the city's fleet of nearly 9,000 buses