A central city gun scare in Tauranga has prompted police to issue a warning about imitation firearms. Police descended on The Strand on Thursday afternoon after receiving numerous reports from members of the public that a person was walking around the CBD with a gun.

It is believed the person was in possession of an imitation firearm.

'In this day in age these imitation firearms are very, very difficult to tell apart from the genuine article, particularly at a distance,” says Tauranga senior sergeant Glenn Saunders.

Police patrolled the CBD for over an hour on Thursday afternoon after receiving the call, but no-one was located.

Glenn says someone carelessly brandishing an imitation firearm in a public place could spark a callout from the Armed Offenders Squad.

'People who brandish them around unnecessarily, may cause alarm and then force police to take appropriate action.”

Anyone who waves a firearm around also risks a serious charge.

'They can face any number of charges under the Arms Act. An imitation fire arm is included as an ingredient of some offences.”

He says people need to take responsibility and use common sense.

'If you want to play with toy guns, do it in your backyard in a manner that won't cause people alarm.”