MILLIONS of revellers have taken to the streets of Rio de Janeiro to mark the start of Rio Carnival 2017 as police are also pictured clashing with drug users in Sao Paulo.

The "LED is My Light" party kicked off the annual festival in typically Samba style yesterday.

17 Rio de Janeiro: Millions of revellers have taken to the streets in Rio to mark the start of Rio Carnival 2017 Credit: Getty Images

17 Rio de Janeiro: The "LED is My Light" party officially started the annual bash which attracts an estimated one million tourists Credit: Getty Images

17 Rio de Janeiro: Traditionally the Carnival begins when the symbolic city keys to Rei Momo are handed over to the carnival king Credit: AP:Associated Press

17 Rio de Janeiro: The country shuts down during the event in Rio, which runs until Thursday, streets empty and most businesses prepare to close Credit: AP:Associated Press

Traditionally the Carnival begins when the symbolic city keys to Rei Momo are handed over to the carnival king.

The country shuts down during the event, which runs until Thursday, streets empty and most businesses prepare to close.

However, there were contrasting scenes in Sao Paulo as military tactical police officers advanced on suspected drug users in the region known as "Cracolandia" - a notorious "crackland" district.

One girl was pictured crying after inhaling tear gas fired by the police.

Bystanders also helped press photographer Dario Oliveira, who was wounded during the clash.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: "Levels of crime and violence are high, particularly in major cities. You should be particularly vigilant before and during the festive and Carnival periods. Bank card fraud is common.

"Crime levels are high. Violence and crime can occur anywhere and often involve firearms or other weapons."

17 Rio de Janeiro: The first parades start today, warming up for the elite "special group" samba schools like Mangueira and Beija Flor who compete all through Sunday and Monday nights Credit: AP:Associated Press

17 Rio de Janeiro: The parades are intense, heart-pounding affairs where as many as 3,000 performers at a time dance and sing in outrageously over-the-top costumes Credit: Getty Images

17 Rio de Janeiro: At least 37 cities are reported to have cancelled their carnivals for lack of funds or security Credit: AP:Associated Press

17 Rio de Janeiro: Furthermore in much of the Espiritu Santo state, which borders Rio, carnival has been scratched with local media reporting that it is because police strikes which resulted in 140 murders in the space of a week Credit: AP:Associated Press

The pomp and circumstance comes against a grim backdrop of recession and crime.

At least 37 cities are reported by Folha de S.Paulo newspaper to have cancelled their carnivals over lack of funds or security.

In much of Espiritu Santo state, which borders Rio, carnival has been scratched.

Bloody violence this month saw police go on strike after a spate of 140 murders were committed in just a week.

17 Sao Paulo: However there were contrasting scenes in Sao Paulo where suspected drug dealers clashed with police Credit: Getty Images

17 Sao Paulo: A policeman fires tear gas during the clashes in Brazil as the country gears up for its annual Carnival Credit: AP:Associated Press

17 Sao Paulo: This shocking image shows a girl crying after inhaling tear gas fired by the police in Sao Paulo Credit: Getty Images

17 Sao Paulo: Bystanders help press photographer Dario Oliveira, who was wounded during a clash between military police Credit: EPA

17 Sao Paulo: Police pictured on the scene Credit: Getty Images

17 Sao Paulo: Suspected drug users were pictured clashing with police on the streets Credit: Getty Images

Rio, home to the country's - and arguably the world's most important carnival - has also been on edge.

Violent confrontations have taken place since the start of the year between riot police and protesters against austerity measures meant to rescue the financially-stricken state.

Earlier this month relatives of street cops tried to blockade stations in protest at late payment of salaries - raising fears that law and order would weaken further in a city buffeted by rising crime.

Detectives are already on strike over late salaries.

In the run-up to the carnival, some 9,000 soldiers and marines were deployed on Rio's streets, the camouflaged, rifle-toting men standing out amid the bathers of Copacabana and other popular sites.

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Despite the state governor's plea for the troops to stay, they were ordered to withdraw as of Wednesday.

Given the tension in Brazil, it's no surprise that politics is not far from the partying.

Rio carnival-goers were surprised to learn that their newly-elected mayor, who is also an evangelist bishop, is not expected to attend.

He has already confirmed that he will break with tradition and not personally hand the keys to Rei Momo, apparently out of distaste for the wild excesses of the city's favourite public event.

17 Rio de Janeiro: Violent confrontations have taken place since the start of the year between riot police and protesters against austerity measures meant to rescue the nearly bankrupt state Credit: AP:Associated Press

17 Rio de Janeiro: Revellers wait for the start of their Carnival parade, coined in Portuguese: "Loucura Suburbana," or Suburban Madness, Credit: AP:Associated Press

17 Revellers walk past men who were sleeping on the street showing the two sides of the country Credit: Getty Images

The parades themselves have an unusually political slant this year.

One samba school will recreate an embezzlement scandal under France's King Louis XIV - a theme with distinctly current overtones in corruption-riddled Brazil.

Another school's parade will depict deforestation and destruction of indigenous lands, infuriating the country's powerful agribusiness lobby.

Yet even with all its troubles, the city is primed for fun.

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