Crime

commit a crime

to do something illegal; break the law

commit an offence

perform an illegal act; commit a crime

crime rate

the level or frequency of crime in a particular area

violent crime

crimes involving physical force or violence

property crime

crimes involving theft or damage to property

organised crime

criminal activities carried out by groups

cybercrime

crime committed using computers or the Internet

petty crime

minor criminal offences; minor crime

juvenile crime

crime committed by young people

offender

a person who commits a crime; criminal

first-time offender

someone who commits a crime for the first time

juvenile offender

a young person who has committed a crime

repeat offender

a person who repeatedly commits crimes; habitual criminal

reoffender

someone who commits another crime after punishment

criminal

a person who has committed a crime

hardened criminal

an experienced and dangerous criminal

career criminal

someone who repeatedly engages in criminal activities

reoffend

commit a crime again after punishment

reoffending

the act of committing crimes again

reduce reoffending rates

decrease the number of people who commit crimes again

prison sentence

a punishment requiring time in prison

serve a prison sentence

spend time in prison as punishment

lengthy prison sentence

a long period of imprisonment

life sentence

imprisonment for the rest of a person's life

impose a prison sentence

officially give a prison punishment

impose harsher punishments

apply more severe penalties

punitive measures

actions intended to punish offenders

punishment

a penalty given for wrongdoing

penalty

an official punishment; sanction

fine

money paid as punishment

rehabilitation

helping offenders return to normal life

rehabilitation programme

a scheme designed to reform offenders

rehabilitate offenders

help criminals become law-abiding citizens

reintegrate into society

help former prisoners return to normal social life

former prisoner

someone who was previously in prison

prison overcrowding

a situation where prisons contain too many inmates

prison population

the total number of prisoners

prison conditions

the environment and facilities in prison

inmate

a person kept in prison; prisoner

prisoner

a person serving time in prison

law enforcement

activities aimed at ensuring obedience to laws

law enforcement agencies

organizations responsible for enforcing laws

police officer

a member of the police force

police investigation

an official inquiry into a crime

criminal justice system

the system dealing with crime and punishment

court proceedings

legal actions conducted in court

appear in court

attend court as part of a legal process

be found guilty

officially judged to have committed a crime

be found innocent

officially judged not to have committed a crime

reach a verdict

make a formal legal decision

justice system

institutions responsible for administering justice

seek justice

attempt to obtain a fair legal outcome

tackle crime

take action to reduce crime; combat crime

combat crime

fight against criminal activities

curb crime

reduce or control crime

crack down on crime

take strong action against crime

deter criminal behaviour

discourage people from committing crimes

act as a deterrent

prevent crime through fear of punishment

prevent crime

stop crime from occurring

crime prevention measures

actions designed to reduce crime

preventive measures

actions taken to stop problems before they occur

address the root causes of crime

deal with the underlying reasons for crime

poverty-driven crime

crime caused by financial hardship

financial hardship

severe financial difficulties

unemployment

lack of employment opportunities

social inequality

unequal distribution of wealth and opportunities

family breakdown

the collapse of family relationships

peer pressure

influence from friends to behave in a certain way

antisocial behaviour

actions that harm or disturb society

public safety

protection of citizens from danger

social order

the normal and peaceful functioning of society

criminal record

an official record of previous crimes

break the law

act illegally; commit a crime

obey the law

follow legal rules

legal consequences

punishments resulting from illegal actions

serious offence

a major criminal act

minor offence

a less serious criminal act

crime

offence, criminal activity, illegal act

criminal

offender, lawbreaker

punishment

penalty, sanction

prison

jail, correctional facility

reduce crime

tackle crime, combat crime, curb crime

prevent crime

deter crime, discourage criminal behaviour

rehabilitation

reform, reintegration

offender

criminal, lawbreaker

prison sentence

custodial sentence

crime prevention

crime reduction strategies