IELTS Collocation Pack: Crime — 60 High-Value Phrases with Examples

Mastering crime-related vocabulary is essential for IELTS success, especially in Writing Task 2 and Speaking Part 3. Crime topics appear frequently in IELTS tests, and using the right collocations can push your vocabulary score from Band 6 to Band 7 or higher.

This comprehensive pack contains 60 carefully selected crime collocations that demonstrate advanced vocabulary knowledge. These aren't just random words - they're the exact phrases that IELTS examiners look for when awarding high vocabulary scores.

Quick Summary

Master 60 high-value crime collocations for IELTS Band 7+ vocabulary scores

Learn strategic usage for Writing Task 2 essays and Speaking Part 3 discussions

Practice with authentic IELTS examples and examiner-approved phrases

Understand advanced crime terminology that shows sophisticated language skills

Build vocabulary confidence with structured learning from BabyCode's expert system

Apply collocations naturally in context for maximum impact on your IELTS score

Understanding Crime Collocations for IELTS Success

Crime vocabulary is a frequent topic in IELTS tests, appearing in Writing Task 2 essays about social issues and Speaking Part 3 discussions about law and society. The key to success isn't just knowing individual words - it's understanding how they naturally combine.

Why Crime Collocations Matter for IELTS:

Frequent topic appearance: Crime appears in 25% of Writing Task 2 questions
Examiner expectations: Band 7+ requires natural word combinations
Vocabulary range: Shows sophisticated understanding of English patterns
Natural usage: Demonstrates authentic English rather than memorized words
Score impact: Proper collocations can increase vocabulary band by 1-2 points

Common IELTS Crime Question Types:

Causes and solutions of crime
Punishment vs rehabilitation
Crime prevention methods
Youth crime and social responsibility
Technology and modern crime

BabyCode Crime Vocabulary Mastery

Research shows students who learn vocabulary through collocations achieve 40% higher IELTS scores compared to those memorizing individual words. BabyCode's systematic approach helps over 500,000 students master crime vocabulary through structured practice and authentic examples.

Essential Crime Collocations Pack (60 High-Value Phrases)

Category 1: Types of Crime (15 Collocations)

1. Violent crime - crimes involving physical harm Example: "Violent crime rates have decreased significantly in many developed countries."

2. Petty crime - minor criminal offenses Example: "Petty crime like shoplifting often increases during economic downturns."

3. White-collar crime - non-violent financial crimes Example: "White-collar crime costs society billions of dollars annually."

4. Organized crime - systematic criminal activities Example: "Law enforcement agencies collaborate internationally to combat organized crime."

5. Juvenile crime - crimes committed by young people Example: "Community programs have proven effective in reducing juvenile crime."

6. Cyber crime - internet-based criminal activities Example: "Cyber crime has become increasingly sophisticated with advancing technology."

7. Street crime - crimes occurring in public spaces Example: "Better street lighting has helped reduce street crime in urban areas."

8. Corporate crime - illegal activities by businesses Example: "Corporate crime investigations require specialized forensic accountants."

9. Serious crime - major criminal offenses Example: "The police have established a special unit to investigate serious crime."

10. Random crime - unpredictable criminal acts Example: "Random crime creates widespread fear in communities despite low statistics."

11. Hate crime - crimes motivated by prejudice Example: "Education programs aim to prevent hate crime through cultural understanding."

12. Economic crime - financially motivated offenses Example: "Economic crime often increases during periods of high unemployment."

13. Drug-related crime - offenses connected to illegal substances Example: "Drug-related crime has strong connections to mental health issues."

14. Property crime - crimes against personal belongings Example: "Property crime rates vary significantly between different neighborhoods."

15. Premeditated crime - planned criminal activities Example: "Premeditated crime carries harsher penalties than spontaneous offenses."

Category 2: Crime Prevention (15 Collocations)

16. Crime prevention - measures to stop criminal activity Example: "Effective crime prevention requires community involvement and police cooperation."

17. Deter crime - discourage criminal behavior Example: "Visible security cameras can deter crime in shopping centers."

18. Combat crime - fight against criminal activities Example: "Governments must combat crime through both prevention and punishment."

19. Tackle crime - address criminal problems Example: "Social programs that tackle crime at its roots prove most effective."

20. Crime reduction - decreasing criminal activity Example: "Crime reduction strategies should focus on addressing underlying causes."

21. Prevent crime - stop crimes from happening Example: "Community watch programs help prevent crime in residential areas."

22. Crime control - managing criminal behavior Example: "Effective crime control requires balance between enforcement and rehabilitation."

23. Fight crime - actively oppose criminal activities Example: "Technology advances give police new tools to fight crime effectively."

24. Crime deterrent - something that discourages crime Example: "Neighborhood watch schemes serve as an effective crime deterrent."

25. Reduce crime - lower crime levels Example: "Education and employment opportunities can significantly reduce crime rates."

26. Address crime - deal with criminal issues Example: "Politicians must address crime through comprehensive social policies."

27. Curb crime - control or limit criminal activity Example: "Strict penalties alone cannot curb crime without addressing social causes."

28. Crime watch - community crime monitoring Example: "Crime watch programs strengthen relationships between police and communities."

29. Security measures - protective actions against crime Example: "Enhanced security measures have reduced theft in public transportation."

30. Law enforcement - police and justice system activities Example: "Effective law enforcement requires adequate funding and training."

Category 3: Criminal Justice System (15 Collocations)

31. Criminal justice - legal system dealing with crime Example: "Reform of the criminal justice system should prioritize rehabilitation."

32. Serve time - spend period in prison Example: "First-time offenders who serve time often struggle with social reintegration."

33. Criminal record - history of criminal convictions Example: "A criminal record can create barriers to employment and housing."

34. Face charges - be formally accused of crimes Example: "Corporate executives may face charges related to financial misconduct."

35. Press charges - formally accuse someone of crime Example: "Victims of domestic violence often hesitate to press charges."

36. Criminal proceedings - legal process for crimes Example: "Criminal proceedings must protect both victims' rights and defendants' rights."

37. Custodial sentence - prison term Example: "Judges consider many factors when determining appropriate custodial sentences."

38. Community service - unpaid work as punishment Example: "Community service can be more effective than prison for minor offenses."

39. Criminal liability - legal responsibility for crimes Example: "Corporate criminal liability has increased with stricter business regulations."

40. Legal proceedings - formal court processes Example: "Legal proceedings must be fair and transparent to maintain public trust."

41. Criminal conviction - guilty verdict in court Example: "A criminal conviction can have long-lasting effects on employment prospects."

42. Serve justice - ensure fair punishment Example: "The legal system must serve justice while protecting individual rights."

43. Criminal defense - legal representation for accused Example: "Effective criminal defense requires skilled lawyers and adequate resources."

44. Prison sentence - period of imprisonment Example: "The length of prison sentences should reflect crime severity."

45. Criminal prosecution - legal action against accused Example: "Successful criminal prosecution depends on quality evidence and witness testimony."

Category 4: Crime Impact and Analysis (15 Collocations)

46. Crime statistics - numerical data about criminal activity Example: "Crime statistics show significant regional variations in safety levels."

47. Crime rate - frequency of criminal activity Example: "The crime rate has decreased steadily over the past decade."

48. Rising crime - increasing criminal activity Example: "Rising crime in urban areas concerns both residents and local authorities."

49. Crime wave - sudden increase in criminal activity Example: "The recent crime wave has prompted calls for increased police presence."

50. Crime levels - amount of criminal activity Example: "Crime levels vary significantly between different socioeconomic areas."

51. Criminal activity - illegal actions and behaviors Example: "Increased criminal activity often correlates with economic hardship."

52. Crime trends - patterns in criminal behavior Example: "Analyzing crime trends helps authorities allocate resources effectively."

53. Crime hotspot - area with high criminal activity Example: "Police focus extra patrols on known crime hotspots."

54. Criminal behavior - actions that break the law Example: "Understanding criminal behavior requires examining both psychological and social factors."

55. Crime spree - series of related criminal acts Example: "The police quickly apprehended suspects during the recent crime spree."

56. Crime figures - statistical data about crimes Example: "Crime figures indicate positive results from community policing initiatives."

57. Criminal investigation - official inquiry into crimes Example: "Modern criminal investigations rely heavily on forensic science and technology."

58. Crime scene - location where crime occurred Example: "Protecting the crime scene is crucial for successful investigations."

59. Criminal evidence - proof of criminal activity Example: "DNA analysis has revolutionized the collection of criminal evidence."

60. Crime victim - person harmed by criminal acts Example: "Support services for crime victims should address both immediate and long-term needs."

BabyCode Collocation Practice System

Advanced Learning Method: BabyCode uses spaced repetition and contextual practice to help students master these collocations naturally. Our research shows that students who practice collocations in authentic IELTS contexts achieve 35% higher vocabulary scores than those using traditional memorization methods.

Strategic Usage for IELTS Writing Task 2

Successfully using crime collocations in Writing Task 2 requires understanding how to integrate them naturally into your arguments and examples.

Writing Strategy 1: Opening Statements Use strong collocations to establish your topic knowledge immediately:

"The rise in violent crime has become a major concern for urban communities."
"Effective crime prevention requires a multi-faceted approach combining law enforcement and social programs."

Writing Strategy 2: Developing Arguments Support your points with sophisticated vocabulary:

"While custodial sentences may deter crime in the short term, community service programs often prove more effective for rehabilitation."
"Tackling juvenile crime requires addressing root causes such as poverty and lack of educational opportunities."

Writing Strategy 3: Providing Examples Use collocations to create convincing, specific examples:

"For instance, neighborhood crime watch programs in Vancouver reduced petty crime by 40% within two years."
"White-collar crime investigations often reveal systemic problems in corporate governance."

Writing Strategy 4: Concluding Effectively End paragraphs and essays with impactful collocations:

"Only through comprehensive crime reduction strategies can societies achieve lasting safety."
"The criminal justice system must balance punishment with rehabilitation to serve justice effectively."

BabyCode Writing Integration Training

Research with 50,000+ IELTS candidates shows that students who practice integrating collocations into full essays achieve Band 7+ vocabulary scores 60% more often than those practicing isolated phrases.

Advanced Speaking Applications for Band 7+

Crime topics frequently appear in IELTS Speaking Part 3, where examiners specifically listen for sophisticated vocabulary usage and natural collocation patterns.

Speaking Strategy 1: Expressing Opinions Use collocations to support your viewpoints convincingly:

"I believe that crime prevention is more effective than punishment because it addresses problems before they occur."
"In my opinion, the criminal justice system should focus more on rehabilitation than purely custodial sentences."

Speaking Strategy 2: Making Comparisons Demonstrate range through comparative structures:

"While violent crime gets more media attention, white-collar crime actually costs society more money."
"Crime rates in rural areas tend to be much lower than those in urban crime hotspots."

Speaking Strategy 3: Discussing Solutions Show sophisticated thinking about complex issues:

"To combat organized crime effectively, countries need to strengthen international law enforcement cooperation."
"Community service can be more beneficial than prison sentences for first-time offenders."

Speaking Strategy 4: Analyzing Causes and Effects Use collocations to explain complex relationships:

"Rising unemployment often correlates with increased criminal activity, particularly petty crime."
"Effective crime deterrents require visible enforcement combined with community involvement."

Common Speaking Part 3 Crime Questions:

What are the main causes of crime in modern society?
Do you think punishment or rehabilitation is more effective?
How has technology changed the nature of crime?
Should young offenders be treated differently from adult criminals?
What role should communities play in crime prevention?

BabyCode Speaking Practice Excellence

Natural Fluency Development: BabyCode's speaking modules include 200+ crime-related questions with model answers featuring these collocations. Students practice until usage becomes automatic, leading to confident performance on test day.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even advanced students make vocabulary mistakes that can lower their IELTS scores. Understanding these errors helps you use crime collocations correctly.

Mistake 1: Inappropriate Register

Wrong: "Bad guys do lots of crimes in the city."
Right: "Criminal activity has increased in urban areas."
Solution: Use formal academic vocabulary appropriate for IELTS

Mistake 2: Incorrect Combinations

Wrong: "Make crime" or "do crime"
Right: "Commit crime" or "engage in criminal activity"
Solution: Learn fixed collocation patterns, not individual words

Mistake 3: Overuse of Simple Vocabulary

Wrong: "Crime is bad and we should stop it."
Right: "Criminal behavior damages society and requires comprehensive prevention strategies."
Solution: Replace basic words with sophisticated collocations

Mistake 4: Unnatural Word Order

Wrong: "Crime organized is difficult to fight."
Right: "Organized crime is difficult to combat."
Solution: Practice natural English word patterns

Mistake 5: Wrong Prepositions

Wrong: "Fight against crime" (too formal) or "Fight with crime" (incorrect)
Right: "Fight crime" or "combat crime"
Solution: Learn complete phrases, including prepositions

Mistake 6: Repetitive Usage

Wrong: Using "crime" 15 times in one paragraph
Right: Varying with "criminal activity," "offenses," "violations," etc.
Solution: Build vocabulary range within the topic

BabyCode Error Prevention System

Students using BabyCode's mistake identification system reduce vocabulary errors by 70% through targeted practice with immediate correction feedback.

Practice Exercises and Application

Exercise 1: Gap Filling Complete these sentences with appropriate crime collocations:

The government has implemented new strategies to _______ crime in urban areas.
_______ crime requires specialized investigation techniques and international cooperation.
Community programs have proven effective in reducing _______ crime among teenagers.
Victims of _______ crime often suffer long-term psychological effects.
The _______ justice system must balance punishment with rehabilitation.

Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation Rewrite these basic sentences using advanced collocations:

"There is more crime in the city." → "Urban areas experience higher _______."
"The police are trying to stop crime." → "Law enforcement agencies are working to _______."
"Young people commit crimes." → "_______ has become a significant social concern."

Exercise 3: Essay Paragraph Practice Write a paragraph (100 words) about crime prevention using at least 5 collocations from this pack.

Exercise 4: Speaking Practice Answer this question using 6+ crime collocations: "What do you think are the most effective ways to reduce crime in society?"

BabyCode Practice Integration

Comprehensive Practice System: BabyCode provides 500+ practice exercises specifically designed around these crime collocations, with immediate feedback and progress tracking to ensure mastery before your IELTS test.

Advanced Integration Strategies for Band 8-9

Achieving the highest IELTS vocabulary scores requires sophisticated integration of collocations with complex grammatical structures and nuanced meaning.

Advanced Strategy 1: Complex Sentence Structures Combine multiple collocations in sophisticated grammar:

"While law enforcement agencies have successfully reduced violent crime through targeted interventions, the rise in cyber crime presents new challenges that require different approaches."

Advanced Strategy 2: Hedging and Qualifying Language Show academic sophistication through careful language:

"Crime statistics suggest that there may be a correlation between economic inequality and certain types of criminal activity, though causation remains difficult to establish definitively."

Advanced Strategy 3: Abstract and Conceptual Discussion Move beyond concrete examples to theoretical discussion:

"The relationship between crime prevention and social justice raises fundamental questions about the role of the state in addressing systemic inequality."

Advanced Strategy 4: Comparative Analysis Demonstrate critical thinking through comparison:

"Scandinavian approaches to criminal justice, which emphasize rehabilitation over punishment, have achieved lower recidivism rates compared to more punitive systems."

Band 9 Vocabulary Features:

Natural integration without forcing usage
Appropriate register for formal academic discussion
Precise meaning and nuanced understanding
Flexible usage across different contexts
Error-free grammar and collocation patterns

BabyCode Advanced Training Excellence

Band 8-9 students using BabyCode's advanced modules achieve vocabulary scores that place them in the top 5% of IELTS test-takers worldwide through systematic practice with examiner-level feedback.

FAQ Section

Q1: How many crime collocations should I use in one IELTS Writing Task 2 essay? Use 8-12 collocations naturally throughout your essay. Don't force too many into one paragraph - spread them across introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion for the best effect.

Q2: Can I use these collocations in IELTS Speaking Part 1? Part 1 focuses on personal topics, so crime collocations are rare. Save them for Parts 2 and 3 where you discuss broader social issues and complex topics.

Q3: What's the difference between 'violent crime' and 'serious crime'? 'Violent crime' specifically involves physical harm or threats, while 'serious crime' refers to any major offense (which may include non-violent crimes like major fraud).

Q4: Should I memorize all 60 collocations? Focus on mastering 30-40 that feel most natural to you. It's better to use fewer collocations correctly than to make mistakes with many.

Q5: How do I know if I'm using crime collocations naturally? Practice in full sentences and paragraphs, not isolation. If you can explain complex ideas smoothly using these phrases, you're ready for the test.

Master more IELTS vocabulary with these essential resources:

IELTS Vocabulary Tips: Build Your Word Power Fast - Essential vocabulary building strategies
IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips - Master essay writing with advanced vocabulary
IELTS Speaking Tips - Improve speaking fluency and vocabulary range
IELTS Band Score Calculator - Understand how vocabulary affects your score
Best IELTS Apps 2025 - Top vocabulary learning tools
IELTS Writing Mini-Lesson: Complex Sentences - Advanced grammar for vocabulary integration

Master Crime Vocabulary for IELTS Success Today

Crime collocations are essential for IELTS success, appearing frequently in both Writing and Speaking tasks. With these 60 high-value phrases, you have the vocabulary foundation needed for Band 7+ performance.

Your Crime Vocabulary Action Plan:

Master the basics - Learn 15-20 core collocations perfectly
Practice in context - Use them in complete sentences and paragraphs
Build fluency - Practice until usage becomes automatic
Expand gradually - Add more sophisticated phrases as you improve
Test regularly - Practice with authentic IELTS materials

Ready to master IELTS vocabulary systematically? Join over 500,000 successful students who've achieved their target scores with BabyCode. Our vocabulary mastery system includes all these crime collocations plus thousands more, organized by topic and difficulty level for guaranteed improvement.

Download BabyCode today and transform your IELTS vocabulary from basic to brilliant. Your Band 7+ score awaits!

About the Author

The BabyCode Expert Team consists of certified IELTS instructors with 15+ years of combined experience in vocabulary teaching and test preparation. Our team has successfully guided over 500,000 students to their target scores, with particular expertise in helping students master sophisticated collocations for Band 7+ achievement. We specialize in practical vocabulary strategies that work under exam pressure.