THE last week has seen zombified youngsters wandering dazed and stupefied through the streets, aimlessly crossing the Moor in Falmouth, much to the confusion of onlookers.

‘But surely the students have all gone home’ cried those of us not in-the-know, until realisation dawned with one word: Pokemon.

Your pal the Skipper is not adverse to new technology, and after seeing yet another group huddled in front of Penryn Tyrefinders - and watching our editor capture a Bulbasaur from the desk of an unsuspecting colleague - I decided to have a go. 

So I set off into the Packet car park, a phone obsessed somnambulist. I was lucky we’re on a quiet business park or it could have gone very badly for me, stood in the middle of the road trying to swat a Zubat.

While it may seem like a bit of fun, and a good way to get out of the house - or a sad indictment of modern culture - there are some very real concerns that have been raised about the craze.

Devon and Cornwall Police have warned about the risks of not paying attention on roads, of frequenting dark places, or of kids lured away with the promise of a rare pocket monster.

I think we should pay especial heed in Cornwall, where a rich industrial heritage and beautiful landscape go hand in hand with mine shafts, cliffs, quarries and harbours where the unwary could become trapped, injured or killed.

Whether passing fad or augmented reality revolution, the main thing is to stay safe.