Since April, a targeted police operation called ‘Pure’ has been underway in the Anděl district of Prague. The aim is to strengthen public order and improve residents’ sense of security – particularly in a neighbourhood that has long struggled with homelessness and drug use.
Since the beginning of April, a dedicated police unit has been deployed in Anděl (Smíchov), one of Prague’s busiest transport hubs. Under the name ‘Pure’, the police are pursuing a clear objective: to enhance the population’s subjective sense of safety and ensure greater public order.
Anyone who has walked through the pedestrian zone in Prague 5 in recent weeks will likely have noticed them: uniformed officers, law enforcement personnel, and plainclothes police monitoring the area around the metro station. The ‘Pure’ campaign is not a symbolic gesture but a targeted response to growing dissatisfaction among residents and local businesses. The visible presence of homeless people and drug addicts in particular has been a frequent source of complaints.
According to a spokesperson for the Prague police, foot patrols operate in the area day and night – with around twenty officers on duty. The most common offences include illegal alcohol consumption, as drinking in public is prohibited in Anděl, as well as littering and verbal or physical altercations. Offenders include both Czech nationals and foreigners. Police also address drug-related offences, primarily involving cannabis and methamphetamine.
The results after two months show that the police are taking the operation seriously. A total of 5,452 people were checked, 396 of whom were temporarily detained. In addition, officers apprehended 31 individuals who were wanted nationally. Three criminal offences and 229 administrative offences were recorded – figures that indicate the measure is having an impact.
This is not the first time the City of Prague and the Prague 5 district have addressed the situation in Anděl. Increased police activity has taken place in the past, but the issue is complex and cannot be resolved by police presence alone. Nevertheless, with ‘Pure’, the police are sending a clear signal that they take residents’ concerns about safety seriously.
