Port Elizabeth police say reports of a robbery in progress at Baywest Mall on Friday morning, turned out to be a false alarm.
Police spokesperson, Captain Andre' Beetge, said their members responded in force and with a helicopter after receiving a report that there were some men on the roof of one building.
"Police reacted to a call of suspicious persons who were suspected of trying to break in through the roof of House and Home. Police reacted with a chopper, Dog Unit and Flying Squad members and members (from Kabega Park police station)," he said.
After conducting a search of the area Beetge said "there was nothing suspicious at Baywest Mall.
Baywest Mall General Manager, Sonia de Necker, praised the police for their swift reaction.
"What happened this morning is that an alarm at one of the Baywest stores was accidentally activated early this morning by technicians working on the Mall's ventilation system. The store then in turn alerted the police who responded very swiftly," she said.
De Necker said "while this was a false alarm Baywest management would like to thank the police for their immediate response we had," she added.
Meanwhile, Port Elizabeth police are searching for six men who robbed the Oakley store at Moffet Retail Park late Thursday afternoon.
Police spokesperson, Johan Rheeder, said the robbers, one of whom was armed, stole money and goods from the store.
Algoa FM News has also learnt that people in the store were also robbed.
Anyone who may have information on the robbery, should contact their nearest police station.
