Prague Warning or Danger Tips by Pete_Barnett

Despite the warnings given by members of VT, I went to Prague with an open mind about the level of crime - I mean, it can be a problem in most cities, but if you show caution until you are familiar with your surroundings you don't normally suffer.
In my 48 years of extensive travelling, I have only ever had my wallet taken once (in London) and that memory stays with you for some time - and teaches you a lesson.
In my five days in Prague there were two clear attempts to steal my wallet - maybe others that I was not aware of - and observed two attempts on other visitors. For me that highlights a serious problem!!
The main "hotspots" or high risk areas I discovered to be at the entrance to Charles Bridge (from the Old Town side), and on the Metro during rushhour.
In order to cross from the Old Town area onto Charles Bridge you normally have to wait for the traffic lights to change. You can get up to 200 people waiting either side of the road jostling for position when the lights change. The pickpockets move amongst the tourists and use the jostling of the group as a shield to their activities. The pickpocket we saw caught at this site seemed to be an innoffensive sweet old lady - appearances are deceptive.
On the Metro avoid overcrowded carriages. The ploy here is that when the train moves off with a jolt the pickpockets push the passengers. Whilst you are tring to regain your balance they go through your bags or pockets.
Most pickpockets seem to operate in pairs or groups.
Security or policing is not heavy in these areas either, so that if you actually catch someone in the act of taking your wallet or purse you will not get a lot of support - other than from sympathetic citizens - to hold them or bring them to justice.

Having said this, I did see incidents of great honesty from citizens of Prague - on one occasion an ice cream vendor returned the 75 Euros mistakenly given to her when she charged 75 Crowns for an ice cream!!

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