Istanbul is as safe as other European cities, and visitors rarely encounter violence or theft. However, lone travellers should avoid certain suburbs of the city, especially those bordering the city walls and, as in any city, particular care should be taken at night. At all times be alert for pickpockets in crowded areas. In the event of any trouble, contact the Tourist Police.
There are public and private health clinics all over the city (some with English-speaking doctors) and a number of excellent private hospitals. For minor complaints, pharmacists will be able to provide advice.
POLICE
There are several police forces in Turkey, distinguishable by their uniforms. The Security Police (Emniyet Palis!) is the main force in Istanbul. Its officers wear dark blue uniforms and caps and pale blue shirts. The Tourist Police (Turizm Polisi) is a branch of the Emniyet Polisi. Most officers have some knowledge of one or two European languages. The Tourist Police station in Sultanahmet, opposite the Basilica Cistern , is open 24 hours a day. and has an English-Turkish translator available Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm.
The Dolphin Police (Yunus Polisi) is a rapid-reaction branch of the Emniyet Polisi. Dolphin officers ride motorbikes and wear black biking leathers with a red stripe.
The Traffic Police (Trafik Polisi) has the same blue uniform as the Emniyet Polisi but with white belt, hat and gloves. You will see these officers patrolling the streets in black and white cars equipped with loudspeakers. The Falcon Police (Şahin Polisi) is the motorbike branch of the Trafik Polisi. Their black leather uniform is similar to that of the Dolphin Police, but has a yellow stripe on the leathers instead of a red one.
The navy blue uniformed Market Police (Zabıta) is a municipal police force which patrols bazaars and other areas of commerce.
The Military Police (Askeri İnzibat), distinguished by an army uniform and white helmet bearing the abbreviation "As İz", is responsible for the large numbers of military conscripts on city streets. The Gendarme (Jandarma), also a branch of the army, mainly polices rural areas and is unlikely to be found in the city.
PERSONAL SECURITY
Turks are honest people and will go to great lengths to return lost property. It is always worth returning to the last place the item was seen, or going to the Tourist Police. Property left on public transport can be reclaimed from İETT Buses. The level of petty crime has risen, especially-picking pockets and purse snatching, so be aware and take sensible precautions. Avoid leaving valuables lying around in your hotel room, avoid lonely places, and always try to travel in groups when visiting remote areas.
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS
Before leaving, make sure that your basic-inoculations (diphtheria, polio, typhoid and tetanus) are all up-to-date. Check with your doctor about hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccinations.
Mosquitoes are more annoying than dangerous in Istanbul. Lorries run by the municipality spray the streets with repellent in the early evening, particularly in residential areas, but it is a good idea to bring some repellent lotion, spray or gel from your home country. ESF.M Mat machines, electric-vaporizers which release an effective repellent into the atmosphere, are available in Turkey. You can buy the machine and spare tablets in pharmacies, supermarkets and local groceries. a few days and keep alcohol intake to a minimum. It is best to avoid drinking tap water altogether (bottled water is readily available everywhere), and some care should be taken when choosing restaurants and meals. Do not eat food that looks as if it could have been standing around for any length of time, especially seafood. If you have a sensitive stomach avoid half-cooked meats (usually grilled), salads, and milk products other than yoghurt and ayran .
MEDICAL TREATMENT
Many travellers to Turkey experience stomach upsets; this is often a result of the amount of oil used in Turkish cooking. Try to eat lightly for Should you suffer from stomach troubles, remedies available from pharmacies include Lomotil, Ge-Oral (oral rehydration salts) and Buscopan. Drink lots of fluids
- like bottled water, flat cola, weak black tea or soda water
- and stick to a bland diet, eating only bread, yoghurt and rice until you recover. More serious bouts will require antibiotic's.
The first port of call with a minor complaint should be a pharmacy (eczane). Pharmacists are well-trained and many speak some English. If you need advice outside opening hours, look for a note in the window of a pharmacy giving the address of the local nöbetçi eczane (duty pharmacist).
There are excellent free public clinics (poliklinik) all over Istanbul, offering treatment for minor ailments. Private doctors often specialize in a particular branch of medicine, but there are general practitioners, called tıbbi doktor. Their clinics, located above shops in all the main shopping areas, are advertised by prominent signs outside.
HOSPITALS
Typical sign for a pharmacy in Istanbul The Turkish health system has public- and private hospitals. Private hospitals are well equipped and have highly-professional staff (the doctors are also more likely to speak English and other languages), and are more comfortable than the state hospitals. Private hospitals may also nm their own ambulance services. It is strongly recommended that you take out both travel and medical insurance before you leave, or a policy that covers both. Il may also be useful to have a policy that covers repatriation costs in an emergency. The state health system has few reciprocal agreements with other countries. You have to pay for treatment and then make a claim with your insurance company.
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