Crime & Security — B2 English Vocabulary

This B2 vocabulary list gathers 50 upper-intermediate English words about crime & security — offences, policing and surveillance. Every word comes with its British-English pronunciation and a natural example sentence, so you learn each one in real context. When you are ready, open the flashcards to practise and remember them for good.

1. burglary/ˈbɜː.ɡlər.i/

   “There was a burglary next door.”

2. vandalism/ˈvæn.dəl.ɪ.zəm/

   “Vandalism damaged the park.”

3. assault/əˈsɔːlt/

   “He was charged with assault.”

4. kidnapping/ˈkɪd.næp.ɪŋ/

   “The kidnapping shocked the town.”

5. blackmail/ˈblæk.meɪl/

   “She was a victim of blackmail.”

6. bribery/ˈbraɪ.bər.i/

   “The official was guilty of bribery.”

7. trafficking/ˈtræf.ɪk.ɪŋ/

   “Police fight drug trafficking.”

8. forgery/ˈfɔː.dʒər.i/

   “The painting was a forgery.”

9. arson/ˈɑː.sən/

   “The fire was started by arson.”

10. homicide/ˈhɒm.ɪ.saɪd/

    “Detectives investigate the homicide.”

11. felon/ˈfel.ən/

    “The felon was sent back to prison.”

12. culprit/ˈkʌl.prɪt/

    “Police caught the culprit.”

13. accomplice/əˈkʌm.plɪs/

    “He had an accomplice.”

14. loot/luːt/

    “Thieves loot shops during riots.”

15. wrongdoing/ˈrɒŋˌduː.ɪŋ/

    “He denied any wrongdoing.”

16. detective/dɪˈtek.tɪv/

    “A detective questioned the staff.”

17. patrol/pəˈtrəʊl/

    “Guards patrol the building at night.”

18. gang/ɡæŋ/

    “A criminal gang ran the area.”

19. firearm/ˈfaɪə.rɑːm/

    “He owned an illegal firearm.”

20. raid/reɪd/

    “Police carried out a dawn raid.”

21. inmate/ˈɪn.meɪt/

    “The inmate was released early.”

22. smuggling/ˈsmʌɡ.lɪŋ/

    “Smuggling is common at the border.”

23. hostage/ˈhɒs.tɪdʒ/

    “The robber took a hostage.”

24. checkpoint/ˈtʃek.pɔɪnt/

    “Cars stopped at the checkpoint.”

25. extortion/ɪkˈstɔː.ʃən/

    “He was jailed for extortion.”

26. embezzlement/ɪmˈbez.əl.mənt/

    “The accountant was guilty of embezzlement.”

27. shoplifting/ˈʃɒpˌlɪf.tɪŋ/

    “Shoplifting costs shops millions.”

28. interrogation/ɪnˌter.əˈɡeɪ.ʃən/

    “The interrogation lasted hours.”

29. manslaughter/ˈmænˌslɔː.tə/

    “He was convicted of manslaughter.”

30. fingerprint/ˈfɪŋ.ɡə.prɪnt/

    “They found a fingerprint on the glass.”

31. vigilante/ˌvɪdʒ.ɪˈlæn.ti/

    “A vigilante took the law into his hands.”

32. deterrent/dɪˈter.ənt/

    “A camera is a good deterrent.”

33. perpetrator/ˈpɜː.pə.treɪ.tə/

    “The perpetrator was never found.”

34. mug/mʌɡ/

    “Someone tried to mug him.”

35. cybercrime/ˈsaɪ.bə.kraɪm/

    “Cybercrime is rising fast.”

36. constable/ˈkʌn.stə.bəl/

    “A constable arrived at the scene.”

37. trespass/ˈtres.pəs/

    “Do not trespass on private land.”

38. lookout/ˈlʊk.aʊt/

    “One thief acted as a lookout.”

39. abduction/æbˈdʌk.ʃən/

    “The abduction was caught on film.”

40. imprison/ɪmˈprɪz.ən/

    “They will imprison the leader.”

41. ringleader/ˈrɪŋˌliː.də/

    “Police arrested the ringleader.”

42. intruder/ɪnˈtruː.də/

    “An intruder broke into the house.”

43. assailant/əˈseɪ.lənt/

    “The assailant ran away.”

44. forensic/fəˈren.sɪk/

    “Forensic tests proved his guilt.”

45. underworld/ˈʌn.də.wɜːld/

    “He had links to the criminal underworld.”

46. safeguard/ˈseɪf.ɡɑːd/

    “Passwords safeguard your data.”

47. violate/ˈvaɪə.leɪt/

    “Do not violate the rules.”

48. squad/skwɒd/

    “The bomb squad arrived quickly.”

49. looting/ˈluː.tɪŋ/

    “Looting broke out after the storm.”

50. vulnerability/ˌvʌl.nər.əˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/

    “Hackers found a vulnerability.”