Page 230 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Prague

228  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Personal Security and Health

Compared to many Western cities, Prague is relatively safe.
Even if you do not need emergency help from the police, you
should feel free to approach them at any time for advice of
any kind – they are generally helpful to the tourist population.
If you should need emergency medical care during your stay
in Prague, it will be given free. An increasing number of
English-speaking services are available, including health
centres, pharmacies and dentists (see opposite). A Prague police station sign

You will also see private sec urity
The Police and to enable tourists to report guards that tend to guard
Security Services crimes and seek on-the-spot banks and be used as security
In Prague, you will come across advice. The Tourist Police at football matches. They are
several kinds of policemen and Station is where you should go armed with truncheons.
-women and members of to report any losses and thefts.
various security services. The office is manned 24
Report any problems hours a day, seven What to be Aware of
to a uniformed state days a week. For lost Prague is a safe and unthreat-
police officer at a property, it is worth ening city to walk around.
police station. The trying the Ztráty a Violence and robberies are
main stations are nálezy (lost-and- rare in the city centre. Crimes
marked on the found office) on against tourists are usually
Street Finder maps Municipal police badge Karolíny Světlé. limited to petty pilfering from
(see pp244–55). The The traffic police cars and hotels, and the only
state police carry regulate parking, really prevalent issue – pick-
guns and can arrest including clamping pockets. Using your common
a suspect. They and issuing fines sense should help you to avoid
patrol the streets on (see p241), speeding trouble. Always remember to
foot or drive grey, and drink-driving. keep your bag in sight and
blue and yellow It is illegal to drive avoid carrying your passport,
patrol cars. The State police badge with any alcohol in wallet and valuables in your
municipal police, the your bloodstream, back pocket or in an open
other main security force, is and if you are caught, the bag. It is best to leave them in
divided into different sections. penalties are severe. If you your hotel safe. Thieves tend to
Special mobile police stations have a serious traffic accident, operate in busy areas such as
are set up during tourist high you must immediately ring the crowded trams, metro cars and
season in locations such as the state police. It is against the popular sights. Be careful when
Old Town Square. They are law to move anything before watch ing the hourly move-
staffed by multilingual officers the police get there. ments of the Old Town Square’s
Astronomical Clock, for instance.
Pick pockets are skilled and use
very clever diversionary tactics.
Be aware and keep everything
safe and close. It is very unlikely
that anything stolen will ever be
recovered. Never leave anything
of value in your car and try
to park in an underground
car park.
It is always advisable to take
out adequate insurance before
you arrive in Prague since it is
difficult to arrange once there.
Report any thefts to the state
or municipal police for future
insurance claims.
Prague is generally safe for
women travelling on their own.
However, one place that is
A male state A municipal A female state A private advisable to avoid at night
police officer police officer police officer security guard if you are a woman alone

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