Police Issue Pokémon Go Warning

A warning is being issued to youngsters to be aware of their surroundings whilst playing Pokémon Go – the latest online game taking the world by storm. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Officers are issuing the warning following a report received Monday, July 18th of two youths seen on their phones on the A55 near Holyhead. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The aim of the game is to walk around your neighbourhood trying to find Pokémon characters by using a smartphone camera, where it overlays images over the ‘real world’ on screen. People can then ‘catch’ the Pokémon character and add them to their collection. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Officers are issuing the following advice to gamers: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• Don’t make yourself vulnerable. Don’t be tempted to take your phone out in busy or unlit areas where you could be a target for thieves
• Concentrate on dangers around you and be careful when crossing the road – don’t just focus on your device
• Never play the game while driving
• Don’t trespass on private property.

Superintendent Jane Banham, Head of Community Safety at North Wales Police said: “With schools closing for the summer holidays there will be many children taking to the streets to play the game. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“However, we are asking players to exercise common sense whilst playing to make sure they are aware of their surroundings. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Children should make sure they tell their parents where they are going when playing and parents should speak to their children about the associated risks.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​