World IN BRIEF : BRITAIN : Property Crime Up in England, Wales

Property crimes increased sharply in England and Wales last year, and the government scolded citizens for failing to keep a closer eye on their possessions. Without greater vigilance, it warned, the crime rate could soar to U.S. levels. The overall crime rate rose 17% in England and Wales in 1990. Ninety-four percent of the 4.5 million reported crimes were theft and other property offenses, the Home Office said. The overall increase was the largest since 1974, when crime jumped 18%, the Home Office said. Violent crime was up only 4%, compared with a 12% rise in each of the previous three years.