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Scaremongering on UK crime stats

I read an article recently reporting there were ~15000 sexual assaults in the UK, the highest figure 'for decades', we are told. It didn't specify how many decades, but I'll assume at least two since it's plural. It occurred to me that this isn't as concerning as it tries to make out.

First of all, even 20 years ago, the UK had a lower population. Therefore the number of sexual assaults per capita is lower today, even if it's as high in absolute terms.

Secondly, what was considered sexual assault 20 years ago had a much narrower definition. The law was overhauled in 2003 and, for example, what was previously classed 'indecent assault' was brought in line with 'sexual assault', and many crimes that were previously considered minor harrassment rightly became sexual assault in their own right (e.g. inappropriate touching).

So while the statistics appear to show an increase in sexual crimes, the reality is more likely a significant improvement, because the old figure was almost certainly under-reporting crimes that were previously considered less serious.

Of course this is not to suggest we should be complacent or in any way dismissive about the 15,000 reported crimes, just we shouldn't worry that things are getting worse, and that the news outlets shouldn't be scaremongering.