Pick Pockets in Prague
 

I've been reading about the enormous amount of pick pockets in Prague, both here and on TA forums. How do you avoid it, besides the obvious? It seems they get into zippers, snaps, etc... Being a woman, I usually carry a purse or travel bag (backpack). Even if I put things in my pocket it seems they would be taken. How do I prepare my children (18, 17, 14 yrs)? I don't know where to keep $$ and indentification when we are out "touristing". Is it really that bad??

A money belt is a wise (and cheap) investment. Put everything you really can't stand to lose (passports, tickets home, large quantities of cash if you carry it, backup ATM card/credit card) in it, and just carry what you need for the day in a purse or pocket or wherever. Worst comes to worst, you lose a hotel key (probably a fee for replacing it, but not that huge), an ATM card (which will be quickly cancelled, and the thief can't use because you didn't write the PIN down), and maybe $100 in cash. A PITA for sure, but nothing devastating.

I don't know what Prague is like, but it's hard for me to believe it could be worse than Barcelona, where I lost a purse from my lap to a thief while dining at an outdoor (but low-traffic) restaurant.

I'm not going to go nuts or be so paranoid it affects my enjoyment. However, I do follow these precautions:

Wear a money belt and keep my credit-card, passport, hotel key, and no more than a couple of hundred euros at most

Messenger-bag type purse: Something with a flap and with a comfortable strap I can wear across the front of my body, with the flap opening facing in, so I can protect it by pressing my arm against the flap.

Keep my camera in my purse or on a strap fastened firmly around my wrist.

If a pickpocket does get away with some of your stuff, don't let it ruin your trip and don't take it personally. Just do your best to minimize your losses.

When you're traveling with family on the metro or when you're in other crowded areas, keep an eye on each other.

I recently spent seven days in Prague with no problem. I always use a money belt and wear a lightweight photographer's vest. These vests have lots of zippered and velcro pockets and I can scatter my day's cash and any other valuables that are not in the money belt so a pickpocket won't get it all. It is also handy for other stuff. Two places in Prague that have pickpocket problem are in the underground at at some popular tram stops. I stayed on Kampa Island (a perfect location) so most everything is in easy walking distance although the castle is a bit of a hike going up. My wife uses an over the shoulder bag that I modified by running a length of picture hanging wire through the strap (can do it so it is invisible). That foils the old cut the strap and run away ploy.

My husband was pickpocketed on the tram as he was disembarking.Fortunately all that was taken was a pack of chewing gum.Beware of someone blocking the doorway with a map as a 2nd helps him with info on the map.As you try to get past them, a 3rd gets into your pocket.Note that the pickpocketer wears a crossed the shoulder handbag that covers his hips so that his hand slides under his handbag as it goes into the victim's pocket. Yup.Wear a moneybelt!!

Thank you all for your good advice. Is the best place to get a money belt online? I can't think of any stores in my area that would have them. Should my teenage kids have their own too?

They are available online. The one that is on the Rick Steves site is particularly nice. They are also available in luggage stores and many other places where luggage is sold. Yes, your kids should have their own. The more you are able to split important items up, the less likely it is for a thief to get it all. There is also another moneybelt type item that works well if you find it comfortable. It is a pouch with velcro straps that you strap on your calf under trousers.

The problem I have with moneybelts is that I have yet to find one that is not visible under the type of clothes I wear. Wearing bulky, frumpy clothes just to hide a money belt would make me stick out like a sore thumb, as I would be squirming uncomfortably...

Been to Prague and just back from Barcelona. I don't think Prague has a worst problem with pickpockets than say BCN or Madrid, but they are lots of them. Luckily I never got anything stolen myself, but there had been a few attempts.

The people staying in the same BB as myself in BCN got picked...they slashed open the woman's purse from behind.

I think the previous suggestions are great. I'd add a few...
* Keep most of your money, passport, etc in the safe in hotel, take only what you need with you.
* Keep your purse in front of you or between your arm and body.
* Don't use the open-top type of bag (my friend saw someone losing a camera from this type of bag in Prague).
* Use purses with zippered inner compartments.

The places you most want to keep an eye out in Prague are inside St. Wenceslas church and watching the clock strike the hour in Old Town Square. Both locations have you off-guard and paying attention to other things. Our walking tour guide warned us strongly about the church in particular because she'd recently chased a group of children who twice stole things from her tour clients inside the church.

I saw a silk money waist belt and a neck one on Rick Steves site. The neck one looks more comfortable, but is probably less safe, right?

I've been to Prague twice and never noticed anything different than any other major city. No one ever tried to bother or pickpocket me, but I don't really carry anything valuable in my pockets anyway, and don't allow people to get into my purse or anything. I don't carry a backpack or that kind of thing. I don't use a money belt, but think it may be a good idea for you given your group. I am not as obvious a tourist in appearance (don't carry guidebooks, cameras, etc) and don't travel in a group like that, so that may be why I don't have as many problems (aside from being careful with my purse and belongings).

I don't know exactly what amy is referring to as St Wenceslas church being a popular pickpocket spot. There are a couple churches in Prague by that name, of course, but none that are tourist spots that I can think of, they are in the outer areas. Maybe she means either St Nicolas or St Vitus cathedral in the castle complex (which has a St Wenceslas chapel inside, but I wouldn't think that would be the worst spot), or just St Wenceslas square, I am not sure, but you should be careful anywhere there are crowds of tourists, as that attracts pickpockets, of course.

So, it's not that bad IMO, just like any large city in Europe (so don't be too anxious), but you should be careful and take precautions. I would never walk around on vacation with a backpack, for example.

trish - you put the money belt under your clothes - whether it goes around your waist or your neck, so both are just as safe.

Thank you!

You also don't have to buy them online; I found mine at Office Max/Depot (don't remember which), and Target and Walmart sell them, too.

Christina, it was indeed Wenceslas Chapel within St. Vitus, where everyone is standing look at the (remains of the) good King himself, the kids are rummaging in your pockets.

We were in Prague last October and had no trouble. We did meet a man from Finland who was robbed on the Metro. He told us that one thief imobilized him while the other relieved him of his wallet.

Hi T,

Millions of people travel throughout Europe, only thousands are pickpocketed.

Take the usual precautions.

I put safety pins on my pockets.

((I))

PrincessOfPenguins - I had the same concern with my clothing style and a money belt, especially when I go out at night and want to wear something form fitting.

I found the type of 'leg wallet' that basingstoke referred to and it's great. Just do a search for leg wallet and a bunch of different kinds will come up. Might be an option for you.

Leg wallets sound interesting. I'll have to check it out. Thanks!