The game has not yet been released in the UK

The NSPCC has demanded that the makers of Pokemon GO introduce safety features before the game is released in the UK.

Peter Wanless, the chief executive of the children's charity, said that the game "raises fundamental child safety concerns".

"Given Pokemon's already massive popularity with children, the NSPCC is concerned that basic safety standards appear to have been overlooked."

Pokemon GO, only released in the US last week, has proved incredibly popular.

The game lets players capture virtual beasts on their phones, as they wander around the real world.


There have been separate reports, though, of criminals using the game to lure players to remote locations and to rob them.

In another instance, players following digital lures were directed to a sex shop.

Pokemon GO has not yet been released in the UK and the NSPCC asked Niantic, the game's creators, to use this delay to add safety features.

Mr Wanless wrote: "Given Pokemon's already massive popularity with children, the NSPCC is concerned that basic safety standards appear to have been overlooked.

"I urge you to urgently reassess your app and its security and safety features.

"We all have a responsibility to ensure that children are protected and as creators of a game with substantive reach, you have a weighty responsibility to protect your young users."

Niantic had previously been criticised for the game's privacy policy, which had allowed access to each player's entire Google account. It altered this feature the next day.