On October 27, 2026, the police published an official appeal designating the period before November 1 as a time of increased risk of criminal activity. The authorities emphasized that the intensification of preparations for All Souls' Day, associated with shopping and tidying up graves, creates favorable conditions for criminals exploiting the haste and distraction of citizens. The main objective of the communication is to remind the public of basic safety principles in crowded public places and to pay particular attention to the situation of elderly people and children, who may be more vulnerable to the negative effects of the prevailing crowds.
Safety in Public Transport
Travel to cemeteries often involves using crowded buses and trams, which creates favorable conditions for pickpockets. To minimize the risk of property loss, it is worth following a few simple rules. Handbags and backpacks should always be closed and kept in front of you, within the owner's full line of sight. It is also recommended to carry wallets, phones, and identity documents in the internal pockets of clothing. Avoiding keeping valuable items in external pockets of clothes or open pockets reduces the chance of them being unnoticedly stolen by a perpetrator hiding in the crowd.
Property Protection at Cemeteries
Tidying up grave markers can be a process that demands full attention, causing visitors to places of memory to often forget to watch over their own belongings. The police warn that leaving handbags, wallets, or phones unattended, even for a short time, is a sufficient opportunity for theft. Situations such as disposing of trash or pausing work to fetch water can be exploited by thieves. In such moments, it is recommended to take valuable items with you or hand them over to the care of a trusted accompanying person.
Support for Seniors and Children
The appeal pays special attention to the need to take care of the oldest and youngest participants of events. For elderly people, moving across uneven cemetery terrain and through dense crowds can be very exhausting. The proper response is to adjust the walking pace to the capabilities of seniors and to be ready to help them reach the graves. In the case of children, constant vigilance of adults is key, as it is easy to lose visual contact in a crowd. Parents should explain to their little ones whom they can turn to for help in case they get separated from their family, which increases their chances of a safe return.
Safe Shopping Guidelines
Caution is also required when shopping for candles and flowers in stores, bazaars, or at cemetery stalls. Due to the heavy traffic, one must constantly watch one's belongings, keeping them close to the body. Paying by card involves the necessity of verifying the amount on the terminal display and discreetly covering the keypad with a hand while entering the PIN number. It is also recommended to secure payment cards against unauthorized contactless data reading, for example by using special cases or covers. In the case of online purchases, we appeal for verifying the reliability of sellers, reading reviews, and completely avoiding suspicious links regarding alleged underpayments. One should never share passwords or authorization codes for bank accounts with third parties.