Pokemon No Go

Hundreds of Pokemon Go incidents logged by police.

18:30 30 August 2016

Police reports confirm the involvement of Pokemon Go players in hundreds of incidents since the gaming app phenomenon was launched. These include robberies, thefts, assaults and driving offences recorded across England and Wales throughout July.

 

Police officers have confirmed dealing with complaints involving Pokemon players. In some cases, the players were victims of crimes while in others; they were accused of being involved in antisocial behaviour and committing other offences.

 

In Surrey, about 30 people were reported to have been involved in a brawl over a Pokemon hunt. Meanwhile, in North Wales, a man was discovered to have invited children back to his home “as he had lots of Pokemon at his address.” In Cheshire, parents were concerned as their children were seen waking over graves in a cemetery to catch Pokemons.

 

Sgt Neil Dewson-Smyth, of Cheshire Police, said the figures were "worrying".

 

"It was out in America first and there seemed to have been a few problems there. Nationally and internationally I'm well aware of quite a few circumstances that have come up," he said.

"But for me the key message is do not play it while driving. It's a fun game, but play safe and don't put lives at risk."