Like a lot of European capitals, Prague has its own breed of morally reprehensible vultures. They’re called pickpockets, and they seem to multiply in droves, particularly as the weather gets warmer and more tourists descend upon the Golden City – only to get descended upon by these ugly creatures.
The best way to avoid being pickpocketed is to blend in as much as possible. In general, the Czechs are not flashy dressers, and most of them can’t afford to wear expensive designer brands. Should you decide to parade the streets of Prague decked out in your Armani wardrobe, know that you’re marking yourself as a tourist, and a wealthy one at that.
Don’t be shocked if you return home to find your pockets empty at the end of the day. Sorry, but this isn’t Milan or Paris – the scruffier you look here, the more you’ll blend in, and the more unattractive you’ll be for potential pickpockets.
Pickpockets and the Prague Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square
Touristy areas around the Old Town Square also popular among thieves. You’ll notice a lot of unsavory characters hanging around at the top, around the statue and the underground station – this is a major intersection for junkies who are often desperate for cash.
The Astrological Clock is another location to be careful, especially when tourists stand in front of the Astronomical Clock waiting for it's famous motion to occur. Thieves have a built in audience at this location. Hundreds of unaware tourists not paying attention to the rear zippers of their day packs, purses, or other travel bags as they patiently wait - looking up at the clock for it movement to occur. People jamb tight at this locations - be careful here - consider using a security day pack or security purse that pickpockets cant get into while you stare at the Astronomical clock.
Wenceslas Square (Vaslavska Nemesti) and the area surrounding it, is generally sketchy at night. If you’re male, watch out for the aggressive female prostitutes who approach you on the streets – that friendly grope is most likely aimed at your wallet rather than your crotch.
Other Prague pickpocket locations reporting heavy pickpocket activity include the area along Karlova Street, the park in front of the Main Station - especially at night. On the outskirts, parts of Zizkov and Smichov can be very seedy at night – exercise caution when partying in these areas.
The main castle district old castle stairs is another location to be careful. Tour buses bring tour groups to the castle at the top of the hill and meet the tourists below after they have walked down the old castle stairs. This is a well known location for concentrated pickpocket activity.
Pickpockets and the Charles Bridge
One of the top locations where travelers will most likely fall victim to a pickpocket is the the entrance to (Karlov Most) Charles Bridge (from the Old Town side). 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 among the tourists and use the jostling of the group as a shield to their activities.
Pickpockets who work this locations - as well as other location in Prague (or any other city in the world for that mater) can range from an un-offensive sweet old lady, to a young child. Know that pickpockets in Prague are keenly aware that appearances are deceptive.
It's obvious why tourists favor the Charles Bridge in Prague as it is a very stunning location for tourists - hence why pickpockets make it one of the top pickpocket locations in the world. The reason why pickpockets favor the Charles Bridge is that it has a number of pavement artists and people who sells items in open stalls dotted along the bridge.
Tourists who walk across the Charles Bridge stop to see what's going on in many of these stalls, causing crowds to build up.
When this occurs, the walkway becomes difficult to pass in many locations - which is where the pickpockets will hone their skills on un-suspecting tourists. Be very aware of your possessions when visiting the stalls along the Charles Bridge.
Pickpockets and Tram 22
Be extremely careful on tram 22 at all times of day – if you feel like you’re being surrounded, make a lot of noise. This will usually scare them off, as no thief desires unwanted attention. The more difficult you make it for them, the more likely the chance that they’ll just go away.
The Tram 22 Metro stop at Malá Strana is a high pickpocket location and a great place to play 'spot the pickpocket." Get a cup of coffee opposite the tram stop in the summer and see if you can spot the pickpockets. If you are lucky, you will spot a few before being done with your coffee. Look for two or three people standing together. Many time one will have a jacket over his/her arm. Watch as the tram arrives these two thieve split up - the one without the jacket gets on first. Whoever gets on behind him is the target. As the first thief stops, the person (usually a tourist) behind is distracted while trying to board the bus. The second person - a pickpocket - will be behind the tourist and uses the jacket as cover for the steal. Generally the first thief will continue onto the tram and get off right away. The second thief just walks away. Obviously, never try and take a pickpocket on.
Don't leave your guard down when visiting places of worship, the St Vitus Cathedral, another popular tourist locations have had their fair share of tourists who have reported items stolen from them while visiting the church. Most common is when they take a few mins to pray and leave their travel bag unattended, or are distracted by someone asking them a questions in the church.
Pickpockets and Prague Train and Metro Stations
The main train station in Prague has been a known problem for tourists for many years and many travelers who come to Prague by train are usually not aware of the issues that occur in or outside Prague's main train station.
The park around the station is known by Czechs as "Sherwood Forest" which has been a location known for crime and drug use.
The train station is a nest of pickpockets and con artists masquerading as Euro student tourists who approach unknowing tourists who may fall for their cons.
Obviously, like other Metro station around the world, the metro stations frequented by tourists are locations to be very aware - especially during rush hour. Most notably, the metro station at I.P. Pavlova is know as prime hunting ground for pickpockets.
As with any metro station, be on the lookout for groups of men, women, and especially children (teens) that look suspicious, and seem to be paying attention to fellow travelers more than the train they are waiting for.
Never allow yourself to be encircled by groups of people, especially at subway ticket dispensing machines, metro platforms, and on the subway itself. Also be very aware of being encircled by other people when entering Prague subway cars.
A typical Prague Metro pickpocket scam involves a few pickpockets who typically start off together, talking and looking around. Once they find their target (typically a tourist) and split apart.
As a metro train pulls up to the platform and stops, as the subway doors open, one pickpocket will go in first and stand in front of the door on the inside of the train.
As the tourist (who does not know the pickpockets are working together) go into the subway car, the other pickpocket will be behind the tourist and he will start to push closer, the pickpocket in front will move forward (they will crowd you) and may even say to you something like "does this tram go to XYZ" and as you get distracted talking to the thief and being pushed from behind, the pickpocket behind you has already worked his hand into your pocket.
Once the thief removes something from you, they then get off the next stop.
Anytime you are in a tram car - watch out for what are called "tram gangs." These are groups of pickpockets who ride the tram all day waiting for the "right" victim. if when you are on a tram or metro car and it seems to be "busier" on your part of the tram or metro car than other areas of the car, a group of thieves may be trying to target you.
A good way to protect your valuables that you carry in your purse or travel bag is to use a a security day pack or security purse shown here. These travel security bags are specifically designed to protect your carried valuables from the nimble hands of pickpockets and sneak thieves. Check out the videos of how these security wallets and bags work.
Others train and tram stops that report heavy pickpocketry include the tram stops at Malostranske Namesti, Klarov, Narodni Trida, Strossmayerorov Namestand, and Narodni divadlo, which are typically busy and packed tram stops. Additionally, any tram stop near hotels are also prime pickpocket locations - obviously.
Video regarding exchange booth scams in PraugeHow to use the Prauge Metro
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