Legal Matters 1

1. (b) The Home Secretary (although individual police forces decide what sort of work they should do in a particular area). 

2. forces. 

3. Usually no. Some specially-trained officers carry guns (also called firearms) incertain situations and in certain places (for example, areas where there is a high risk of terrorist activity, such as at airports or outside major government buildings).

 4. 999 or 112 (but only in emergencies). This number can also be
called if you need an ambulance, the fire service,
mountain rescue, cave rescue or the coastguard.

 5. Yes,certain types of crime can be reported online (through the
police website www.online.police.uk). 

6. Yes to both. Penalties for carrying a (potentially) lethal weapon can result in a prison sentence. 

7. Life / property / disturbances (they must keep the peace) / crime.

 8. Yes, you can. Misconduct (= rudeness, abuse, racial or sexual
discrimination, etc) is taken very seriously. You can complain in person or by writing to your local policestation. Alternatively, you can write to the Chief Constable of the force involved, or contact the Independent Police Complaints Commission. 

9. They can stop you if you are on foot and search you if they think
that a crime has, or might / is going to, take place, or if they think you are carrying a weapon, drugs, etc. They can stop you in a vehicle at any time and search it.

 10. You should give them your name and address, but you do not
have to give them any other information (although most people do if asked). 

11. You can ask them for their name, the police station they work from, and the reason why they have stopped you. 

12. If you use abusive language or threats of violence, you could be arrested.

13. warrant / magistrate / arrest / save / damage / disturbance. 

14. caution / evidence / interpreter / solicitor / duty / solicitor / message / practice. 

15. Yes, if you are victim of violent crime. The Criminal Injuries
Compensation Authority is an organisation that pays compensation to victims of violent crime, provided the crime is reported immediately to the police, and the application for compensation is made within two years of the crime taking place.