[null, {"document_url": "https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/crime/353015", "unformatted_src": "https://cdn.britannica.com/04/198504-004-5FBD1F95.jpg", "src": "https://cdn.britannica.com/04/198504-004-5FBD1F95.jpg", "formatted_filename": "FBD F", "alt_text": "Punishment for serious crimes often includes a stay in prison."}, null, {"document_url": "https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/crime/353015", "unformatted_src": "https://safe.britannica.com/safeimages/bkids-article-gisted-module.png", "src": "https://safe.britannica.com/safeimages/bkids-article-gisted-module.png", "formatted_filename": "bkids article gisted module", "alt_text": "Click Here to subscribe"}, null, null, null]
A crime occurs when a person breaks a law. Governments pass laws against actions that they consider to be harmful or dangerous. If someone breaks a law they are punished in some way by the government that passed the law. Criminal laws vary from place to place and change over time. This makes it difficult to say exactly what crime is. Types of Crime



Deliberately setting public or private property on fire is a crime called arson.
