New Destinations B2 Module 3

You are going to read part of an interview where different people give their views on crime and the law. For questions 1 -15, choose from the people (A-E). The people may be chosen more than once.

A John - Police officer

I've been in the service for nearly 30 years. Lots of people think that crime is much worse nowadays than it was in the past. It's not actually true. What has changed is the types of crime. Now, it's antisocial behaviour that's on the rise, while serious violent crime is down. Police work itself has changed a lot too. We don't have as much contact with the local community and I think that is one of the reasons people don't have as much faith in the force as they used to. But government cuts mean we don't have the time to go out on the beat. Another problem is that I spend more time writing up reports than I do on actual police work. It can be very frustrating.

B Alison-Magistrate

In England and Wales magistrates deal with about 95% of all criminal cases. Scotland has a slightly different legal system to the rest of the UK, though. Anyone can volunteer to become a magistrate, but you do have to be able to show that you are of good character and have sound judgement. We don't get paid for doing it either, but we do get our expenses paid. I decided to become a magistrate to give something back to the community. I have to deal with a lot of different cases and some of them can be quite disturbing. I recently imprisoned a man who'd robbed and beaten an elderly couple. Although I try to avoid giving harsh sentences, sometimes it really is the only option, especially when violence is involved.

C Cindy-Crime victim

It's very upsetting when you walk into your home after it's been burgled. First of all, there's the mess. Everything is pulled out of drawers and cupboards and thrown on the floor. Then there's the distress when you find out what precious items have been taken. It's the sentimental value of personal items that's important, not their price tag. But perhaps worst of all is the anger you feel at having your home invaded by a stranger. I was lucky that the person who burgled my house was caught and I got most of my stolen property back. Most burglars are never caught. The man who burgled my house was a repeat offender and he'd only just got out of prison a couple of days before he burgled my home.

D Dylan - Juvenile offender

I was caught, along with a couple of friends, doing graffiti on the side of a building. We were charged with criminal damage and I got a fine from the youth court. It was an awful experience going to court. I felt really ashamed. Mainly because my parents were really upset about it. At first. I was angry about being taken to court because I didn't think that what we had done was criminal. It was art. But my dad took me to meet some people who had had their property damaged by graffiti and I realised that it can upset people and it costs them money to clean it up. I still think graffiti is art but I only do it now when I have permission.

E Mark - Probation Officer

I have various duties to perform as a probation officer including supervising people who have been let out of prison early on parole. It's my job to try and help them fit back into the community, find work and become useful, law-abiding citizens. I work with a lot of different people such as the police, social services and many charities. I have a very heavy workload as I have to deal with thousands of cases and each one is different. The work is very rewarding when you see someone turn their life around and you know you helped them do it. But it can be depressing sometimes, too, especially if someone reoffends and you have to send them back to prison.

Which person

1 does a job for free?

2 mentions the heartache of losing items you’re emotionally attached to?

3 helps people to reject a life of crime?

4 was embarrassed about going to court?

5 took on their job in order to contribute to society more?

6 works with a large number of different organisations?

7 doesn’t think that crime has increased recently?

8 hadn’t been aware how much a particular crime can affect people?

9 was angry about an intrusion into their personal life?

10 believes there are times when prison is unavoidable for some crimes?

11 wishes they could meet more ordinary people while working?

12 mentions the satisfaction they get from the work they do?

13 didn’t believe that it was fair to be prosecuted for something?

14 would like to spend less time working at their desk?

15 mentions that a criminal had been caught many times before?

You will hear a news report about a crime. For questions 1 -5, complete the sentences.

Joseph and Mary Carter live in a (1)___________ house in Leeds. The crime was initially discovered at around (2)________ in the morning. The windows and doors had been installed (3)____________ before. Items such as the (4)____________ in the living room were not stolen. The police hope that the Carters’ (5)____________ might be able to provide some useful information.

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.

The ____________ found the man guilty and he was sentenced to life imprisonment.