PEOPLE are catching 'Pokémon' at Martyrs' Memorial and other popular Oxford landmarks after a new app launched in the UK.
Pokémon GO became available this morning, meaning users can view the digital monsters through their smartphone cameras as they walk around.
The app uses GPS on people's mobile phones to track where they go and notifies them when Pokémon, 'Pokéstops' and Pokémon gyms' are nearby, based on real landmarks and buildings.
There are countless locations across Oxford, with Pokémon spotted at several famous university and college buildings, Martyrs' Memorial in St Giles, Blackwells Music Shop in Broad Street, the Ashmolean Museum in Beaumont Street and the Bodelian Library.
A Twitter account for Oxfordshire's most avid players has also been created and even Oxfam and Oxford University staff joined the fun by posting pictures.
Many people eager to play the game had already downloaded it before today by accessing it from other countries, but others got it for the first time today.
- Above, a Pokémon viewed through a mobile phone camera in Radcliffe Square. Below, the view of St Giles, in Oxford city centre, from Pokémon GO.
The Oxford Mail tried the app in Oxford city centre and found 17-year-old Max Lawson playing at Martyrs' Memorial, where he had placed a virtual 'lure'.
The device, which lasts 30 minutes, attracts Pokémon in the game - and also other players.
Max, a former pupil at Oxford City College, said he had walked almost 40km because of the game over three days and spent £80 on optional in-game purchases.
He said: "It's a brilliant game that really gets you out and moving.
"I've been playing it for a few days and have seen loads of other people doing it as well. There are a few I've talked to and added on Facebook."
This week concerns were raised about the app by the NSPCC, which says it may cause children to wander around on their own. Other users in Devon also reported it using a 'Private Shop' in Plymouth as one of its locations.
It was first launched in Australia and New Zealand before overtaking Tinder in the US in popularity, has now appeared on the iOS App Store and Google Play.
Have you downloaded Pokémon GO? Send your thoughts and pictures to us. Here are some people have posted today:
Totally caught a Bulbasaur by @josummerbell 's desk. @PokemonGoOXF I'M ALREADY ADDICTED. pic.twitter.com/OetCa0SpeE
— Caroline Verdon (@CarolineVerdon) July 14, 2016
We've caught the Charmander blocking the entrance to the library, so it's safe to return to your studies #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/ghPQqbjt2T
— Social Science Lib (@SSLBod) July 14, 2016
Dinosaurs and #PokemonGO... (natural history museum Oxford) pic.twitter.com/x1obqqWcJw
— James Poyser (@jamesnpoyser) July 10, 2016
Hello #PokemonGo players.
— Bodleian Libraries (@bodleianlibs) July 14, 2016
The Old Bodleian is an Oxford #Pokestop!
(Just please, catch 'em all quietly...) pic.twitter.com/VskWTN6A9K
Bicester, UK is #TeamValor @ryan_liver @PokemonGoOXF pic.twitter.com/DUnGT7W5yC
— Will (@Wammerrs) July 11, 2016
@PokemonGoOXF Got this one from outside our venue.So far we've caught Weebles, Pidgeys, Squirtles, Rattata & Abras. pic.twitter.com/q4X7lcLmEb
— New Theatre Oxford (@NewTheatreOx) July 14, 2016
We're a #Pokestop! Come and get your #Pokeballs! #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/PadnZyoQE7
— Ashmolean Museum (@AshmoleanMuseum) July 14, 2016
Today I found some Pokemon #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/t7llGRpHwI
— Chloe Harfield (@ChloeHarfield1) July 14, 2016
@indyfromspace catching pokemon when i should be writing pic.twitter.com/JqAmcsHiRv
— Nikki Lamb (@OsteoNikki) July 14, 2016
@SiaaaaanAnn There are plenty of pokemon inside @OU_Library too! pic.twitter.com/LZdWQerwoB
— Nicola Beer (@Nicola_Beer) July 14, 2016
Look who we found outside our building! Has anyone else spotted pokemon in the ROQ? #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/8MQF04xIgW
— TORCH Oxford (@TORCHOxford) July 14, 2016
We've got Pokémon causing chaos in @OU_Library! Any #PokemonGO in your study spaces #OUStudents? pic.twitter.com/ZYO8WC5Rtb
— OU_Library (@OU_Library) July 14, 2016
We also appear to have a few visitors in the #OUstudents office @OU_Library ! #pokemonGO pic.twitter.com/o7hvZTes72
— OU Students (@OUstudents) July 14, 2016
Is this one of our new @OUstudents?! #PokemonGO @OpenUniversity pic.twitter.com/EiMkTcOELu
— TheOUGlobal (@TheOUGlobal) July 14, 2016
Pokemon love Oxfam shops! #PokemonGO pic.twitter.com/peGhW4fk2F
— Oxfam (@oxfamgb) July 14, 2016
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