A number of 24,800 offenses were committed in Moldova in 2008, up 1.7% from a year earlier. Most of the offenses were committed in villages - 66% of the total number. Each third crime (28.7%) is classed as serious. Also, each third offense is committed by unemployed able-bodied persons. Over half of the offenders (57.9%) are persons younger than 30, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting the National Bureau of Statistics. As many as 5,700 crimes were committed against persons. They resulted in 599 deaths. The leading causes of death were: road accidents (48.1%), murders (33.6%) and intentional injuries (10.2%). The offenses committed by minors or with their involvement made up 6% of the total number of crimes. The highest crime rates were recorded in Chisinau – 105 crimes per 10,000 people, in the municipality of Balti – 102 crimes per 10,000 people and in Basarabeasca district – 88 crimes per 10,000 residents. The crime rate in Falesti district was only 31 crimes per 10,000 inhabitants – the lowest rate. Over 5,400 persons are sent to prison every year. Out of the total number of detainees, each fifth person is sentenced for murder, each sixth – for robbery, while each seventh – for theft and appropriation in large and extremely large amounts.