Saturday 10 September 2016

With over 300 dangerous incidents logged, Pokemon Go developers asked to strengthen safety warning


Digital minister Matt Hancock is to meet the US developers of new craze Pokemon Go to demand they strengthen safety warnings. It follows nearly 300 dangerous incidents logged by police as obsessed players hunt down monsters on their mobiles. They included robberies, assaults, and fans playing while they were driving. One man even complained to the Department of Culture that a crowd was besieging his home because there was a Pokemon gym there.
Mr Hancock said: “It’s important all players abide by the law and respect their surroundings.”
Now the culture minister will tell makers Niantic to be more explicit about warnings urging players not to trespass or risk injury or death chasing monsters.
A Whitehall insider said: “We need to make sure sufficient security precautions are in place so players are not in danger.”
Surrey Police had to break up a fight involving 30 people after a Pokemon hunt turned into a brawl. Officers in north Wales discovered a man had invited children back to his home “as he had lots of Pokemon at his address”.
In London and Manchester thieves have used the game to distract victims so they can snatch their mobiles. British Transport Police recorded two incidents of children trespassing on railways while playing the game. And several drivers have been spotted playing behind the wheel.
However, not everyone is fed up with Pokemon players.
The Department of Culture said the Arts Council and London’s British Museum encourage PokeStops to boost visitor numbers.


1 comment:

  1. people are learning their lessons the hard way

    ReplyDelete