Photo: Castanet Staff

Heavily armed police officers swarmed Penticton’s Cherry Lane Mall on Thursday evening for a false report of a firearm.

Police were called to the mall around 5:15 p.m. after being contacted by an employee of the mall, who received an anonymous call stating a person had produced a gun in another area of the mall.

The call came in on a business land line with no other details, but the employee immediately informed police.

“Members immediately attended the area to investigate the circumstances surrounding the complaint to ensure the safety of the employees and public inside and out of the area,” Cpl. Ted Manchulenko said.

Firearms complaints are treated seriously and several officers were dispatched, he added.

Attending police quickly determined the area was safe and there was no threat to the public.

Police continue to investigate the origin of the call.