Police hunt for duo behind necklace-grabbing robberies around Prague's Old Town

If you’re carrying or wearing jewelry in the center of Prague – stay alert. Authorities are searching for two men believed to be behind a series of thefts targeting passersby near Prague’s Old Town Square, police said this week.

According to police spokesman Richard Hrdina, the suspects have stolen gold chains from at least three victims since late April, causing approximately CZK 30,000 in damages. The thefts occurred as tourists gathered to view the city's famous astronomical clock. 

Investigators say the men follow their victims from Wenceslas Square to Old Town Square. One suspect approaches the tourist from behind while the other keeps watch.

The video shows a man committing the theft opposite the Banksy museum in the heart of Prague's Old Town, on Michalská Street. The suspects likely chose the area inside and around Old Town Square due to its high footfall and narrow alleyways, making detection less more difficult and escape easier.

 At a moment when the victim is distracted – typically photographing the clock – the first suspect snatches the jewelry and flees. His accomplice then disappears into nearby streets.

Security footage of the suspects has been released on the police website and across the public domain. Authorities have requested public assistance in identifying the men. If convicted of theft, the suspects could face up to two years in prison.

Despite this, several separate studies point towards apparent (high) levels of safety. Just this month, a new global ranking from insurance platform HelloSafe ranked Czechia as the fifth-safest nation in Europe and sixth globally.

Comparison platform Compare the Market Australia also this year found that – on a global level – Prague is the eighth-safest city overall for tourists.

For example, the research revealed that Prague records just 2.31 mentions of theft-related concerns per million visitors: far below hotspots like Paris (25 mentions) or Barcelona (17.82).

In spring 2025, British insurer William Russell ranked Czechia among the 10 safest European countries for expats. Two years earlier, the same company determined that Czechia was Europe's third-safest country for travelers.