Australian police station warns 'Pokemon' mobile app users to stay out

DARWIN, Australia, July 6 (UPI) -- Northern Territory police warned users of a new GPS-based Pokemon game to stay out of their station on their search for in-game rewards.

Pokemon Go, a mobile game that encourages players to use their smartphones' GPS to track down digital creatures from the Pokemon video game series, launched in Australia on Tuesday and prompted one police station to issue a warning to players after it was listed as a point of interest.

According to the game's website, real world locations including police stations can be designated as "Pokestops" that grant users beneficial items that allow them to complete certain tasks in the game.

"Look for PokéStops located at interesting places, such as public art installations, historical markers, and monuments, where you can collect more Poké Balls and other items," the page states.

Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services announced in a Facebook post following the app's release that players do not need to physically enter the police station to receive the reward offered by the game.

"For those budding Pokemon Trainers out there using Pokemon Go - whilst the Darwin Police Station may feature as a Pokestop, please be advised that you don't actually have to step inside in order to gain the pokeballs," they wrote.

The station also issued a more general warning to players, encouraging them to stay safe and alert while crossing roads and other potentially dangerous areas while playing the game.

"It's also a good idea to look up, away from your phone and both ways before crossing the street. That Sandshrew isn't going anywhere fast," they wrote. "Stay safe and catch 'em all!"