1. The crime rate rose. 2. The crime rate went up. 3. There was a sharp increase in crime. (sharp = sudden and large) 4. There was a gradual rise in crime. 5. There was a spike in crime. (spike = a sudden increase and then decrease) 6. The crime rate reached its peak. (peak = the highest point) 7. The crime rate plateaued. (plateaued = stayed at the same level) 8. There was a slight decrease in crime. 9. The crime rate dropped. 10. The crime rate plummeted. (= decreased a lot, very quickly)