As the summer heats up in Prague, so does the activity of pickpocketing gangs. According to Radek Mudroch, the chief of the police’s anti-pickpocketing team, dozens of Czech and foreign pickpockets will be caught in the city center by experienced detectives who already know their tricks and methods.
The police constantly monitor the most vulnerable areas in the city center, and “known companies” rightly fear them. Pickpocketing gangs operating in the center have already suffered significant “losses” in the form of caught thieves.
“Our successes are similar to those in previous years. The department also investigates other criminal activities, mainly street crime, which annually clarifies almost 300 crimes. This means several hundred detained persons per year,” said a criminal investigator.
According to him, the most risky area is traditionally the center of Prague, Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, and music clubs. But people should also be aware of the risks of public transportation.
“It always concerns places where many people meet and appear. That is transfer stations for subway and tram lines, especially line number 22: the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, and the surroundings of monuments. And as we observe, well-known nightclubs in the center,” warns Mudroch.
“People need to be aware that these are places where they can easily become victims of pickpocketing and pay extra attention to their belongings, especially in places with a higher concentration of people. This is usually enough not to become a victim. Pickpockets prefer to choose someone not paying attention to their things,” he recommends.
While the police have successfully reduced pickpocketing incidents in recent years, Mudroch acknowledges that it is unrealistic to expect pickpocketing to disappear entirely.
“Unfortunately, it is unrealistic to expect that we will be able to eradicate or reduce this criminal activity to a negligible level, just as prostitution will not disappear,” Mudroch concludes.
So, what can you do to protect yourself from pickpocketing in Prague? Here are some helpful tips:
- Be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas like public transportation and tourist attractions.
- Keep your valuables close to your body and in front of you.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or wearing expensive jewelry.
- Be cautious of people approaching you or distracting you.
- If you become a pickpocketing victim, report it to the police immediately.
By following these tips and staying vigilant, you can help protect yourself from becoming a victim of pickpocketing in Prague’s city center.