Brazil’s lower house has approved a decree to put the military in charge of Rio de Janeiro’s security forces amid a spike in violence in the city.

The military took over on Friday, but the presidential decree still needs congressional approval.

The Chamber of Deputies approved the move early on Tuesday and the senate is scheduled to debate it later in the day.

Overnight, the armed forces and police spread out in several neighbourhoods in Rio in the first major operation since the change in command.

Armoured vehicles rolled through the streets of one area on Guanabara Bay on Tuesday, while boats patrolled the waters.

Soldiers and police have set up checkpoints and searched everyone leaving or entering during the morning commute.

President Michel Temer’s extraordinary decree came after Rio’s governor asked for federal help following an exceptionally violent Carnival. During the holiday, there were several muggings, armed robberies and violent confrontations.