Usage of 'contrary to'

[HaraKiriBlade]

The essay claims that the overall crime rates in the U.S. dropped contrary to Britain, where gun-related crimes tripled in the last 10 years.

Is the usage of 'contrary to' OK in the quoted sentence? It doesn't sound too right to me, but I couldn't think of any alternatives off hand. If another word / phrase is more appropriate, can you suggest some options?

[Anglika]

How about "...dropped, in contrast to Britain where gun..."

[curmudgeon]

It might be better to say;

The essay claims that, over the last ten years, gun related crimes have dropped in the US in contrast to Britain where there has been a ten-fold increase over the same period.