Two ‘youths’ thought to be playing Pokémon Go on A55 prompts warning from police

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Police are asking players of Pokémon Go the mobile-based game which has taken the world by storm, to be a bit more aware of their surroundings whilst playing the location-based game.

Officers from North Wales police issued the warning following a report received today, Monday, July 18 of two youths seen on their phones on the A55 near Holyhead.

If you haven’t heard Pokémon GO, is an augmented reality (AR) game played on mobile devices, events and objects in the game have their own location within the physical world.

The game allows you to find and catch more than a hundred species of Pokémon, in order to reach them you have leave your home or wherever your start point is and travel to specific places.

You basically look at the world through your phone’s display, a simple viewfinder feed from your camera mixes the reality around you with 3D objects drawn on top, hence the term “augmented reality”.

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

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Superintendent Jane Banham, Head of Community Safety at North Wales Police said:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“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.”

Further advice on staying safe online whilst playing the game is available getsafeonline[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]