Police hunt for possible gun man

UPDATE 3.08pm: Police have stood down from a search in central Tauranga for a man who was seen to be possibly carrying a hand gun at 2pm.

Acting Senior Sergeant Cam Anderson said it was questionable whether it was a gun or not but police treated it as though it was and proceeded accordingly.

They have called off the search after an hour without any sightings or leads.

EARLIER: Police are searching central Tauranga after a possible sighting of a man carrying a hand gun.

The call came through at 2pm informing police a man had been seen in town who was believed to be carrying the gun.

The man was described as a Caucasian male, about 30-years-old, wearing a black top, pants and helmet and was carrying a skateboard.

Police have not spotted the possible offender yet and Acting Senior Sergeant Cam Anderson said the man could have traveled a long way from Elizabeth St since 2pm on a skateboard.