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It is the smartphone gaming hit which has seen thousands of Londoners venture into real-life places to hunt down virtual monsters.

But for three teens, playing Pokémon Go turned into a nightmare on Friday when they were robbed at gunpoint while trying to catch some of the game’s characters in Whittington Park, Upper Holloway.

The teens, aged 15, 16 and 18, were in the park at around 10.30pm when they were approached by three men who had their faces covered.

One of the men pulled out a silver handgun from his waistband, pointed it at the teenagers and demanded they hand over their phones. The three victims passed over their smartphones and left the scene.

Although they were “shocked”, all three escaped unharmed, police said.

Half an hour earlier, a 24-year-old man had been walking through the park entrance at the junction with Holloway Road when he was approached by the same three men, police believe.

One pulled out a gun and pressed it into the victim’s stomach demanding that he hand over his personal possessions. The victim was then told to turn around and walk away. He also left the scene shocked but unharmed, police said.

Detectives believe the two robberies are linked.

Pokémon Go has been downloaded by millions of players across the globe but has proved controversial – with some users disregarding safety warnings, leading to car crashes, muggings and injury in pursuit of characters.

In response, the makers of Pokémon Go say people should “play with friends when going to new or unfamiliar places” and “remember to be safe and alert at all times”.