POKE-MANIA has hit the Myall Coast with local residents exploring the region’s streets, parks and other sites to capture the little critters with their mobile phones.

Large groups of Pokémon hunters are regularly seen congregating in known PokeStops including Myall Quays Shopping Centre, Bulahdelah Cemetery and Mountain Park.

Pokémon Go was launched this month and has quickly become the latest worldwide popular gaming sensation.

Players use their mobile phone’s GPS and camera to locate the virtual creatures in real-life locations before throwing Pokeballs to capture them.

The Pokémon craze is already having significant health benefits for Myall Coast residents.

Players have to get outside and walk to catch the monsters, hatch the Pokemon eggs and reach PokeStops to replenish their stocks.

A group of local teenagers told News of the Area they are now walking up to 10 kilometres a day in their hunt for Pokémon’s.

The game contains a screen message asking users to be careful, however there are reports of people sustaining injuries and entering backyards of strangers in their quest to find the elusive Pokémon.

Senior Constable Trevor McLeod from Bulahdelah Police, offers a friendly “word of warning to those who are involved with chasing Zubat, Pidgey or whoever.”

“Don’t let your quest to capture these monsters impede on your normal rational thinking,” he said.

 

 

With the temptation to keep track of the Pokemons while out in the car, Sn Constable McLeod warns, “the use of mobile phone handsets when driving is an offence under Section 300 of the Road Rules.”

This breech of the law carries a fine of up to $433.

Sn Constable McLeod also warns Pokémon hunters “not to blindly chase the little monsters onto private property.”

“An excuse of ‘I was on the tail of Voltorb’ may not wash when the police are called to someone who has trespassed onto another person’s property,” he said.

Sn Constable McLeod asks everyone to, “Please enjoy the chase, but know the limits.”

 

By Daniel SAHYOUN