The General Prosecutor's Office during the first eight months of this year recorded a lower number of crimes committed in Moldova compared with the corresponding period last year, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communique from the Prosecutor's Office. The crime rate decreased even if the number of crimes committed in Ciadar-Lunga rose by 36.6%, in Comrat – by 27.0%, in Causeni – by 13.4%, in Ocnita – by 13.2%, in Cantemir – by 13.1%, in Falesti – by 12.1%, in Criuleni – by 11.4%, in Leova – by 6.9%. The crimes committed in Chisinau decreased in number by over 13% from last year. In Calarasi, the number of crimes fell by over 40%. There were committed 146 murders, 163 rapes, and 1,415 drug-related offenses. There were reported 152 cases of trafficking in human beings and 31 cases of trafficking in children. Persons holding important positions committed over 500 offenses. The number of cases of hooliganism, rape, trafficking in persons and smuggling declined, but the number of murders, thefts and robberies increased. Over 200 offenses hidden by employees of the Interior Ministry started to be examined as a result of inspections by prosecutors. The prosecutors filed about 700 applications over violation of the legislation in the prosecuting work. Frequent irregularities were identified in the area of corruption and nepotism combating, the observance of human rights and in the financial-banking and fiscal and customs sectors.