Crime The law If you do something illegal/against the law (= wrong), you have committed a crime. Most people commit a crime at some time in their lives, e.g. driving above the speed limit or parking illegally, etc. If you break the law (= do something wrong/illegal) and commit a crime, you could get into trouble (= be in a bad situation) with the police. B Crimes crime theft (= general word for stealing) robbery (= steal from people or places, e.g. banks) burglary (= break into a shop/house and steal things) shoplifting (= steal from shops when they're open) murder (= kill someone by intention) manslaughter (= kill someone but without intention) criminal (= person) thief robber burglar shoplifter murderer verb steal (also take) rob break in shoplift murder Scene of the crime Two men robbed a jeweller's in west London early this morning. They broke in (= forced their way into the building, e.g. they broke a window) around 7am and took/stole rings and necklaces valued at over £10,000. Several witnesses (= people who see a crime) saw them leave the shop and get away/escape (= go away from a dangerous situation) in a blue car. The police believe both men are armed (= have guns) and extremely dangerous. Crime prevention What can governments do to prevent crime (= stop crime happening) or reduce it (= make it less)? These things happen in some countries. The police carry guns. (= have guns) The police are allowed to (= are permitted to/can) stop anyone in the street and ask them questions. Criminals receive tough (= hard) punishments, e.g. go to prison for long periods. There is capital punishment (= death, e.g. by injection or electric chair) for some crimes. What can people do to protect themselves (= keep themselves safe) and their property (= home and land)? They can do these things. Avoid (= keep away from) dark streets late at night (e.g. midnight). Avoid wearing (= try not to wear) expensive rings or watches. [Note the -ing form after 'avoid'.] ~ Have a burglar alarm. Put money and valuables (= things worth a lot of money) in a safe. Leave lights on at home when they go out. Lock doors and windows when they go out. safe burglar alarm lock 172 English Vocabulary in Use (pre-intermediate & intermediate) Exercises 85.1 Complete this table. 85.2 85.3 85.4 85.5 crime bank robbery murder burglary theft shoplifting person •bank, robbor Respond to these statements or questions confirming the crime in each one. 1 A: He broke into the house, didn't he? B: Yes, he's been charged with ....k%$*($:............... 2 A: He killed his wife? B: Yes, he's been charged with................................... 3 A: She stole clothes from that department store, didn't she? B: Yes, and she's been charged................................... 4 A: The man on the motorbike didn't mean to kill the boy. B: No, but he's been................................... 5 A: He took the money from her bag? B: Yes, but they caught him and he's................................... Find the best noun on the right to follow each verb on the left. a gun a house the door a crime the law to prison How safe and secure are you? Answer these questions with YES or NO. 1 Do you often walk in areas which are not very safe? YES = 1 NO = 0 2 Do you often walk on your own in these areas late at night? YES = 2 NO = 0 3 Do you wear an expensive watch or expensive jewellery? YES = 1 NO = 0 4 Do you lock doors and windows before you leave the house? YES = 0 NO = 2 5 Do you have a burglar alarm? YES = 0 NO = 1 6 Do you leave lights on when you go out? YES = 0 NO = 1 7 Is there someone who protects the building when you are out? YES = 0 NO = 2 8 Do you have a safe in your home? YES = 0 NO = 1 Add up your score. Less than 3 = very safe; 3-5 = quite safe; 6-8 = you could take more care; more than 8 = you are a dangerous person to know! Fill the gaps in these questions with a suitable word. What's your opinion? 1 Do you think the police should...................................guns? 2 Do you think the police should be...................................to stop people without a reason? 3 Do you agree with capital...................................for certain crimes such as murder? 4 Do you think tougher punishments will help to...................................crime? English Vocabulary in Use (pre-intermediate & intermediate) 173