The government says the rate of violent crime in America went up 15 percent last year and the property crime rate rose 12 percent, signals that the nation may be seeing the last of the substantial declines in crime of the past 20 years.

Last year marked the second year in a row for increases in the crime victimization survey, a report that is based on household interviews.

The 2012 increases were driven by a rise in crimes that were not reported to police, a category frequently involving less serious offenses. Simple assaults also rose. The rate of property crimes increased due to a rise in theft. Other crime categories – rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft – showed less change.