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Dial 112 if you need police, ambulance or fire brigade. English-speaking operators man the 24-hour switchboard, and you can phone free from a call box.

Don’t carry your passport, ticket and other valuables around with you. At night, stick to well-lit streets, avoiding dodgy areas like De Pijp, Nieuwendijk and the seediest part of the Red Light District around Zeedijk. Everyone over 14 years must carry a valid means of identifi- cation at all times.

Insure your possessions. Should you have anything stolen, report it immediately to the police and ask for a copy of the police report for your insurers. If your passport is stolen, you must also contact your consulate.

Police headquarters, the Hoofdbureau van Politie, is in Elandsgracht. There are main police stations in Prinsengracht, Beursstraat, Lijnbaansgracht and Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal.

Get help from the Amsterdam Tourist Assistance Service (ATAS), which offers support and practical advice. De Eerste Lijn helps victims of rape and sexual assault.

Of the central hospitals, only Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, has an accident and emergency department.

For non-prescription drugs or toiletries, go to a chemist(drogist) . To have a prescription made up, go to a pharmacy(apotheek) . Normal opening times are 8:30am– 5:30pm Mon–Fri. A notice will direct you to the nearest pharmacy open outside of these hours.

Your hotel, local pharmacy or tourist office will give you the name and address of an English-speaking doctor or dentist, as will the Central Medical Service(Centrale Doktersdienst) . EU citizens are entitled to reductions on medical and dental treatment.

If you lose your passport or get into trouble with the authorities, you will need to contact your embassy or consulate. Most embassies are in The Hague, but some countries, including the UK and the USA, have consular facilities in Amsterdam.

The Dutch take sexual health seriously: prostitutes are subjected to rigorous checks. Should you contract a sexually transmitted disease, the GG&GD provides a Mon–Fri walkin clinic: phone for details or an appointment. An HIV checkpoint is run by the Servicepunt HIV Vereniging every Friday evening. The Schorer Stichting provides information for gays. An AIDS helpline operates 2–10pm Mon–Fri.