Collocations Crime
Committing a crime
commit a crime/​a murder/​a violent assault/​a brutal killing/​an armed robbery/​fraud
be involved in terrorism/​a suspected arson attack/​human trafficking
engage/​participate in criminal activity/​illegal practices/​acts of mindless vandalism
steal somebody’s wallet/​purse/(British English) mobile phone/(North American English) cell phone
rob a bank/​a person/​a tourist
break into/ (British English) burgle/ (North American English) burglarize a house/​a home/​an apartment
hijack a plane/​ship/​bus
smuggle drugs/​weapons/​arms
traffic people/​wildlife/​narcotics/​cocaine
launder drug money (through something)
forge documents/​certificates/​passports
take/​accept/​pay somebody/​offer (somebody) a bribe
run a phishing/​an email/​an internet scam
Fighting crime
combat/​fight crime/​terrorism/​corruption/​drug trafficking
prevent/​stop credit-card fraud/​child abuse/​software piracy
deter/​stop criminals/​burglars/​thieves/​shoplifters/​vandals
reduce/​tackle/crack down on knife/​gun/​violent/​street crime; (especially British English) antisocial behaviour
foil a bank raid/​a terrorist plot
help/​support/​protect the victims of crime
Investigating crime
report a crime/​a theft/​a rape/​an attack/(especially British English) an incident to the police
witness the crime/​attack/​murder/​incident
investigate a murder/(especially North American English) a homicide/​a burglary/​a robbery/​the alleged incident
conduct/​launch/​pursue an investigation (into…); (especially British English) a police/​murder inquiry
investigate/​reopen a criminal/​murder case
examine/​investigate/​find fingerprints at the crime scene/​the scene of crime
collect/gather forensic evidence
uncover new evidence/​a fraud/​a scam/​a plot/​a conspiracy/​political corruption/​a cache of weapons
describe/[identify a suspect/​the culprit/​the perpetrator/​the assailant/​the attacker
question/​interrogate a suspect/​witness
solve/​crack the case