Manchester Students Robbed Playing Pokémon Go

Three students in Manchester were mugged at knifepoint while playing Pokémon Go. The incident took place in Hulme Park at around 8pm on Friday night (15^th July), less than 24 hours after Greater Manchester police warned players of criminals taking advantage of the augmented reality game.

First Pokemon Go robberies? 3 students with phones out in Hulme Park apparently catching Pokemon were robbed at knife point 8pm

— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) July 15, 2016

GMP warning on Pokémon Go risks soon confirmed as 3 students robbed of phones in Hulme last night chasing Pokemon https://t.co/xKJpqO1VyN

— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) July 16, 2016

The GMP Twitter account later confirmed that a man had been arrested in relation to the robbery:

Update on Pokemon Go phone robbery by 3 men in Hulme Fri night – man arrested Sat 7pm. Obviously, we're hoping we're gonna catch 'em all…

— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) July 17, 2016

“We know that criminals move quickly to exploit the latest developments to target victims and Pokémon Go will already be in their sights,” Detective Superintendent Joanne Rawlinson from the Greater Manchester Police Public Protection Division told the Manchester Evening News. “There have already been incidents in America where young people are thought to have been targeted through the app.”

“I would urge parents to speak to their children about the app and the best ways to make sure they stay safe. Talking to your child is one of the best ways to keep them safe,” Det. Supt. Rawlinson added. “Online child sexual abuse and grooming is a rapidly growing problem and as part of Project Phoenix we continue to work with other partner agencies to raise awareness of the issues and provide advice and guidance on Internet safety, how to stay safe, spot the signs and how to report offences. Young people, parents, teachers and others need to know what to look for so they can raise concerns.”