In the two decades between 1986 and 2005, crimes in Uruguay doubled; what has been reflected in the almost exponential trend that this variable showed between 1998 and 2005. This has put the phenomenon of violence and crime at the center of public attention in recent years. However, the scientific analysis of this phenomenon is still scarce. This work seeks to fill this gap and provide evidence that allows us to understand what factors are behind this evolution. The results found indicate that inequality in the distribution of household income, the level of household income, unemployment and the effectiveness of police work are factors related to crime rates. Additionally, it is found that violence and crime exhibit inertia over time.