BEYOND A POKÉ
Gaming craze is causing bother
FANS of global gaming sensation Pokémon Go have been causing havoc in Caernarfon, say residents.
People living in Church Street are “sick and tired” of gamers trying out the craze who leave litter and block the road with parked cars.
Caroline Sansome said up to 50 people can be seen tapping away at their phones throughout the day since the street became a hotspot for the game.
The app, an augmented reality game for mobile phones sees Pokémon characters appearing on streets and at landmarks using GPS technology.
Players can then touch the phone’s screen to throw a ‘Pokéball’ to capture the wild Pokémon.
“The problem is particularly bad at night,” Caroline said.
“It’s a huge problem which has occurred since this Pokémon Go craze.
“Groups of mainly young people are congregating by the town walls at the end of the street near the archway which takes you to the Victoria Dock.
“There are about 50 of them and they gather throughout the day, especially in the evenings.
“Sometimes they come in cars and block the road off.
“The biggest problem is the litter they leave behind. They are just glued to their phones playing Pokémon.”
Caroline, 60, says she has complained to the local authority about the problem.
“I go around picking up the mess,” she said.
“I’ve contacted Gwynedd council about the problem, asking if they could supply some more bins.
“It’s a popular area with tourists. There are many guest houses and hotels down the road, and the Victoria Dock and castle walls are nearby.
“It’s horrendous and bad for tourism.”
A Gwynedd council spokesperson said the authority was looking into the need for an additional litter bin in this part of the town.
“An increase in litter prob- lems around Saint Mary’s Church and the archway at the end of Church Street in Caernarfon has been brought to our attention,” said the council.
“A council officer has been speaking to the person who has raised these concerns earlier today.
“Officers from the council’s street enforcement team have inspected the site and are working with our partners from Cadw and North Wales Police on the issue.”
The complaints in Caernarfon come after fans of the game were spotted playing it in the middle of the A55 at Holyhead, leading police to warn that the busy dual carriageway is “not a playground”.