Czech Republic 2009 Crime & Safety Report

Crime & Safety Report

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

The Czech Republic is a parliamentary democracy in Central Europe, becoming a full member of the EU in 2004 and a member of the Schengen zone in 2007.  The Schengen Agreement allows people inside the Schengen Zone to move freely without being stopped at national borders.

The Czech Republic is rated a low crime post by the Department of State.  Violent and/or confrontational crime is rare.  The type of crime visitors are most frequently exposed to is petty street crime, particularly pick-pocketing.  These incidents occur in crowded tourist spots, while special caution is also warranted in and around public transportation areas.  Other areas where tourists congregate in Prague, such as Charles Bridge, Wenceslas, and Old Town Square are also favored target areas for thieves.  Some pick-pocket rings are highly organized and can have as many as eight members on the street operating against the same target or group of targets.  Victims report being jostled and distracted in a crowded area while they were totally unaware of their wallet or valuables being lifted.  There have also been reports of purse snatching or valuables being lifted off the back of seat chairs at outdoor cafes.

"Date rape" drugs such as Rohypnol have also been used at local bars and clubs, although recent claims are unsubstantiated.  Customers of these establishments are advised not to accept drinks from anyone other than waiters/waitresses and not to leave their drink unattended.

Visitors are advised to change money only at banks or legitimate money kiosks. An offer to change money by an unknown person on the street is most likely tied to a scam.  ATMs are widely available throughout major cities in the Czech Republic.  Most have multilingual instructions and allow you to access U.S. bank accounts.

Auto thefts and break-ins are common in the Czech Republic, especially in major cities.  It is recommended travelers use parking garages and some type of anti-theft device to discourage these incidents.  It is important not to leave valuables in plain sight inside vehicles.  The recovery rate of stolen vehicles, as with most stolen property, is extremely low. 

Visitors should be alert to the potential for substantial overcharging by taxis, particularly in areas frequented by tourists.  Some taxi drivers charge unsuspecting foreigners three times or more than the standard rate.  The U.S. Embassy is aware of a report involving an individual who hailed a taxi on a street near a popular night club in Prague.  The individual was reportedly subsequently robbed and endured minor injuries prior to being dropped off outside of the city.  It is recommended that you call for a taxi, rather than hail one on the street, or obtain a taxi at one of the "Fair Place" taxi stands regulated by the Prague municipality.  Customers should also make sure the taxi meter is utilized.

Political Violence

While residents and visitors to the Czech Republic are not especially at risk from political violence at this time, the Department of State has issued a number of recent announcements cautioning Americans worldwide to maintain a level of vigilance against potential terrorist incidents.  All visitors are advised to be continually aware of their surroundings and be alert to suspicious activities or individuals.

Civil Unrest

Civil unrest in the Czech Republic is rare, although strikes and demonstrations do occasionally occur.  Public protests are usually non-violent and issue-oriented.  Demonstrations in front of the U.S. Embassy in 2008 focused primarily on issues regarding the new missile defense radar proposed by the U.S., and will likely continue as the issue progresses.  Demonstrations are usually small and peaceful.  Most demonstrations number less than fifty, but have been known to exceed 500 participants.  As in many countries around the world, there have also been incidents of violence involving rowdy fans at sporting events.  Visitors should be cautious in any crowded venues.  During these incidents and other demonstrations, the police were generally well-prepared and handled the protesters in a professional and competent manner.

Post-Specific Concerns

Leaving the scene of a traffic accident, even a minor one, is against the law.  If you are involved in a fender-bender without additional property damage or injuries, and vehicular damage is under 100,000 Kc, you may settle with the other driver without the police.  However, due to potential communication problems and difficulties in calculating vehicle damage, visitors are advised not to move their vehicle and to wait until the police arrive.

The Czech Republic has a zero tolerance policy for drinking and driving, with a zero blood alcohol limit for operating a vehicle.  Police may request administration of a breathalyzer test randomly or at the scene of a traffic accident.  Depending upon blood alcohol level, the driver could face an official fine or criminal justice proceedings.

Persons driving into the Czech Republic should be aware that a road usage tax sticker is required to drive legally on major highways.  The stickers are available at gasoline stations on highways.  Failure to not have the sticker or properly display it can result in a fine.  Drivers should pay special attention to driving on cobblestone and among streetcars and tourists in historic city centers.  Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns and 120km/h on highways.  Use of headlights is required by all motor vehicles in the Czech Republic.  All traffic citations can result in on the spot fines.

Public transportation operates on the honor system with random inspection for a valid ticket by municipal transportation inspectors.  Failure to have a ticket can result in a fine on the spot.  Tickets must be validated in the yellow stamp box at the entrance to the metro and on trams and buses.

Several factors make the Czech Republic an attractive country for groups in the drug trade.  These include its central location, the closure of most of the traditional customs posts along the nation's borders, low detection rates for laundered drug money, low risk of asset confiscation, and relatively short prison sentences for drug-related crimes.  Although not an important regional financial center, both geographic and economic factors make the Czech Republic vulnerable to money laundering.  Narcotics trafficking, smuggling, auto theft, arms trafficking, tax fraud, embezzlement, racketeering, prostitution, and trafficking in illegal aliens are the major sources of funds that are laundered in the Czech Republic.  Domestic and foreign organized crime groups have been known to target Czech financial institutions, currency exchanges, casinos and other gaming establishments for money laundering activities.

Police Response

Tourism is a major industry and source of currency for the Czech Republic. Authorities attempt to be responsive to foreign residents/visitors in need.  However, lack of adequate resources and manpower hamper proactive police measures in most areas, including areas frequented by foreigners.  Police efforts to be responsive to the needs of tourists include placement of multilingual officers at several police stations throughout Prague and other Czech cities and police vans at or near major tourist sites.  Incidents of police harassment or unwarranted detention are rare.

The Police emergency operations center is 112.  This is an all purpose emergency number similar to 911 in the U.S. It is a 24-hour toll-free number where callers can report emergencies or request emergency assistance in English from Czech ambulance services, the fire department, and the police.

Medical Emergencies

Prague has good Western-style medical clinics and some English-speaking doctors and dentists.  However, medical facilities are limited outside the capital.  Doctors and hospitals often expect cash payment for health services.  Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars.

Emergency contact numbers:

Ambulance (24 hour emergency number): 112

Canadian Medical Center: 235-360-133

Na Homolce Hospital (Cardiac problems) 257-272-146 or 257-271-111

Motol Hospital, Foreigners Dept.

     Adult emergencies: 224-433-681

     Child emergencies: 224-433-690

Tips on How to Avoid Becoming a Victim

As indicated above, visitors and residents alike should be alert to pickpockets and purse snatchers on trams, metros, outdoor cafes and in the tourist areas of Prague, mainly around Charles Bridge and Old Town Square.

It is recommended that visitors carry only the amount of cash they need for that day's transactions and maintain a low profile.  Also travelers should know the number to their bank to immediately cancel their cards once they have determined them lost or stolen.

Do not carry your passport with you while traveling around town, unless you plan to travel internationally.  Instead, carry a photocopy of your passports’ identity page and ensure the original document is securely stored at your hotel.

Changing money on the street is not recommended.  Money may be changed at exchange kiosks located throughout tourist areas, at major hotels and banks.  Most reputable establishments in the Czech Republic accept major credit cards and their use is relatively safe. Automated 24-hour teller machines are also widely available.

Never leave anything of value inside a vehicle that is left in plain sight.  This can result in a broken window or forced and damaged door lock, and theft of the item.

For the business community, a number of private security companies are located in the Czech Republic. The larger ones generally have good reputations.

There are no areas of Prague that are considered high crime areas but all travelers are advised to exercise a heightened awareness when frequenting night clubs and using public transportation late at night.

Call for a taxi, rather than hail one on the street, or obtain a taxi at one of the "Fair Place" taxi stands regulated by the Prague municipality.  Customers should also make sure the taxi meter is utilized.

Visitors should be cautious in crowded venues, especially en route to and at sporting events where rowdy fans may become unruly.

Exercising common sense precautions, as one would in any large city that is a tourist destination, will enable most travelers to avoid becoming victims of crime in the Czech Republic.

For Further Information

Country Code:  420

Consular Section/American Citizen Services: 257-022-375

Foreign Commercial Service: 257-022-434

Regional Security Office: 257-022-308

After hours Embassy Emergency No. 257-022-000

Americans living in or visiting the Czech Republic are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in the Czech Republic and obtain updated information on travel and security within the Czech Republic.  Information is also available on the Embassy's web site at http://www.usembassy.cz.

OSAC Country Council

Information on OSAC in the Czech Republic can be found on http://Prague.osac.gov/