Rio security chief wants troops on streets

Rio's head of security says he wants soldiers on the streets immediately to help local police to battle the city's rising crime ahead of the Olympics.

Rio's head of security says he wants soldiers on the streets to help local police battle crime. (AAP)

Rio de Janeiro's head of security wants soldiers to start policing the city immediately in preparation for the Olympic Games, which are still more than two months away.

State Security Secretary Jose Mariano Beltrame, speaking Thursday alongside Defense Minister Raul Jungmann, said the "request for external forces for Rio de Janeiro" will help local police to battle the city's rising crime.

Brazil has already committed to using about 85,000 soldiers and police to guard the Olympics - about twice as many as London four years ago.

The state of Rio de Janeiro has cut about $US550 million ($A760 million) from its security budget - about 20 percent - and Beltrame has repeatedly said he would like to have more police.