With winter city-break traffic at a post-pandemic high, Czech police have stepped up security at major Christmas markets in Prague, Brno and Ostrava. Tactical units equipped with portable bollards and vehicle-barrier trailers were deployed on 8 December, supplementing plain-clothes pickpocket teams already in place.
Authorities stress that no specific terror threat has been identified, but cite an uptick in organised pickpocket rings targeting foreign visitors. The measures mirror crowd-protection protocols used in neighbouring Germany, including random bag checks and CCTV monitoring zones.
![Police Reinforce Czech Christmas Markets Amid Record Advent Tourism]()
Tour operators say the visible police presence reassures corporate groups booking incentive trips, though it can lengthen entry queues at peak times. Companies that issue travel-risk advisories have updated guidance to include recommended entry gates and emergency rendezvous points around Prague’s Old Town Square.
Market organisers report footfall up 12 % on 2024 levels, driven by air-fare deals and the resumption of direct long-haul flights from Seoul and Chicago. Hoteliers welcome the surge but warn that last-minute room availability is scarce; weekday occupancy in Prague is exceeding 90 %.
While the security posture is officially temporary, interior-ministry officials acknowledge that seasonal deployments are likely to become the norm as visitor numbers continue to climb.
Authorities stress that no specific terror threat has been identified, but cite an uptick in organised pickpocket rings targeting foreign visitors. The measures mirror crowd-protection protocols used in neighbouring Germany, including random bag checks and CCTV monitoring zones.
Tour operators say the visible police presence reassures corporate groups booking incentive trips, though it can lengthen entry queues at peak times. Companies that issue travel-risk advisories have updated guidance to include recommended entry gates and emergency rendezvous points around Prague’s Old Town Square.
Market organisers report footfall up 12 % on 2024 levels, driven by air-fare deals and the resumption of direct long-haul flights from Seoul and Chicago. Hoteliers welcome the surge but warn that last-minute room availability is scarce; weekday occupancy in Prague is exceeding 90 %.
While the security posture is officially temporary, interior-ministry officials acknowledge that seasonal deployments are likely to become the norm as visitor numbers continue to climb.
