I don't think it is the crime rate that changes; it's our attitude. There are certain things people used to believe were okay, but then people changed their minds.
In addition, the number of social media and people on them are constantly increasing, which increases the publicity thus making us feel the crime rate increases, but it doesn't. In fact, I believe that in reality the crime rate decreases.
As simple as that.
I guess, it is the media that is responsible for this feeling of ours that crime rate is increasing. I believe, it's just the opposite. It is beneficial for the media to keep people scared and tense at all times. The reality is different.