You may find many signs in Prague, such as: “Be aware of pick-pockets”, and even warnings against car raids: “Do not leave valuables on the seat.” For example, last year, half of all pocket-picking cases in the Czech Republic were in Prague. Local pick-pocket gangs, which often come from different countries, have very tricky methods for dispersing the victims. These methods even include kids with innocent faces. Typical places where those thefts happen are Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square.
Insurance and Other Precautions
Despite the above-mentioned risks, it is still worth visiting those places (and others). You need to take as many precautions as possible: in particular, dress like a local, not like a tourist.
Choose travel insurance. A money belt might not be comfortable, but it is a safe place where you can store your valuables. Do not take out your wallet in public, and if you have to have a purse, have it as close to your body as possible. Be cautious, especially in crowded places – trains, buses, in the underground. Write down your IMEI number and the serial number of your laptop. Even if the police won’t find anything, it is important to report the theft.
