We just returned from our 2 week Eurotrip and our only downer was my fiancee got pick pocketed in Prague. Her iphone got yanked right out of her jacket right by the Charles bridge, so be aware of your surroundings! Granted, i warned her almost everyday that she needed to keep her belongings safely stored, she put her guard down while taking a picture of another couple and somebody must've grabbed it out of her jacket when she was doing it. she was wearing a rain jacket with very accessible pockets, so i imagine the Prague police had a good laugh at our expense (stupid Americans...). i made sure to always keep my wallet & phone in my front pockets (zipped if possible) and would keep my hands very close to my pockets when walking through crowds. It put a damper on probably one of the most beautiful cities i have ever seen and really messed with our psyche the rest of the trip so i just wanted to remind people to be vigilant, especially in touristy/crowded areas!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Did she have it locked and "Find my iphone" on? Curious to see if that would have worked. Front pockets are better than rear pocket by only a very small marginal. If you like I can send you to a dozen or more references from this site of stuff missing from front pockets. For the next trip you need a better system.
Posted by
37 posts
The pickpockets are really bad there. A girl in our tour group had her passport stolen out of her backpack on the Charles Bridge. Obviously, she wasn't a Rick Steves reader.
Posted by
OP
Lake Mary, FL
30 posts
unfortunately her phone was in airplane mode so find my iphone wasn't able to be used. we definitely need a better system next time!
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
Sorry that put a damper on your trip. But a good lesson for others. iPhones are very popular targets in Europe and the US (and elsewhere I presume). And they can be harder to secure especially since so many people use them for photos. The most common way would be a secure daybag or purse (not a regular purse or bag that can be easily accessed). But of course the security to keep thieving hands out also makes it more inconvenient to access for quick photo ops.
As for wallets, a front pocket, zipped or not, offers little to no protection from pick-pickets. Count yourself lucky that the phone is all that was stolen.
A lot of people here like the waist style money belts, but neck pouches are just as effective, as are PacSafe type purses and belt loop wallets. Money belts are more for deep storage as they are hard to personally access, but the secure purse, neck pouch and belt loop wallet prevent pickpockets but are more convenient for personal access and often can store a phone.
Posted by
Prague, Czech Republic
356 posts
This is an unfortunate happening.
Pickpockets thrive in crowds and there is no place more crowded in Prague than the Charles Bridge. The best way not to get pick-pocketed is to avoid the crowds. Therefore, do not go on to the Charles Bridge when it is crowded. Go somewhere else instead and come back to the bridge during a quieter time. (Early mornings are best).
Prague is an incredibly safe city. However, with over 25,000 foreign tourists in the city each day, it is inevitable that someone somewhere will fall victim to an incident of petty crime. I stress that there is no need to worry about personal safety in Prague (it's really, really safe), but a little common sense will go a long way.
Posted by
USA Southwest
99 posts
It's terrible that her phone got snatched! I personally don't like wearing a money belt around, but I might suggest for lady travelers like myself: use your bra to store cards and cash, even a phone if it is small enough. Always within easy reach for me but not for anyone else. Then the only things on my pockets are coins and lip balm, not a terrible loss. This may not work for all women, but it's worked well for me and if someone manages to snatch my cards and cash without my noticing then they deserve that money!
Posted by
shingle springs, CA, USA
782 posts
My wife velcros my front pocket where I keep my wallet,so far so good it has worked in Prague,Rome,Barcelona and Paris noted havens for pickpockets.
Mike
Posted by
San Francisco
14979 posts
I carry twisters and safety pins too for that special contingency....for that just in case.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
.... use your bra to store cards and cash......
Except that is not completely safe either. There was a posting here a couple of years ago from someone who lost her cash from her bra. Could not believe it either. Just remember, if it is easy for you to get to it, then it is easy for someone else.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
"Neck pouches are not perfect, the strings can break and can also be cut." Well they can be cut if you wear them on the outside of your shirt - but you're supposed to wear them "under" your shirt. In the 20+ years of multi-year Europe trips my neck pouch has yet to be cut.
Posted by
2 posts
smartphones are a target on the overnight trams as well..they know most people have them