A Pokémon Go fan has disputed claims that the craze could be dangerous for children and argues the app is helping anxiety sufferers.

Shane Rickwood said a number of his friends suffer from anxiety and the game is helping them get out of the house and talk to people.

The 25-year-old, from Rainham, is a member of the Medway Pokémon Group on Facebook which encourages players to share tips and talk about the game.

The game gets players to catch the creatures through the camera on their mobile phones. The app uses satellite navigation to detect where players are and makes the characters “appear” around them.

Local landmarks in the Towns such as churches, parks and shops have been turned into Pokémon hotspots, which encourage people to meet up to trade items and battle one another.

Players can put a lure on the so-called PokéStops which means more of the critters will appear, encouraging more people to visit these locations. The Strand, Diggerland at Medway Valley Leisure Park and Rochester High Street, are popular hotspots.

But, as reported in Friday’s Messenger, some head teachers across the Towns are concerned the PokéStops may be in isolated areas and fear youngsters could be at risk if they visit them on their own.

Chatham Grammar for Girls, Robert Napier School, The Thomas Aveling School, Fort Pitt Grammar School and Cliffe Woods Primary School have warned pupils about possible stranger danger.

Shane said: “I don’t think its as big as a problem as they make it out to be. PokéStops are quite a safe place to be because there’s always a lot of people there.

“I live near a park and when I walk through there’s always lots of people there having a chat about the game.

“Everyone I’ve met has been really friendly and there hasn’t been any sense of uneasiness.

“I haven’t come across any in isolated places as they’re usually landmarks.”

He added: “It’s actually quite therapeutic for some people who suffer from anxiety. Some people I know usually don’t like going out, but the game has got them going out and talking to people, because they know they will have something in common.

“A lot of people who wouldn’t go out are now doing so.

“One of my friends suffers from depression but since the game came out she’s been so much happier because she’s going out and enjoying herself.”