Armed police surround shopping centre in central Paris as cops feared hostage situation
Terror scare sparked by hoax phone call
TERROR was sparked in Paris this afternoon as armed police surrounded a shopping centre and locked down part of the city.
Police confirmed an operation in the Les Halles and Châtelet districts as officers surrounded several streets and helicopters were drafted in.
Interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve said a "false alarm" sparked the mass police presence at a church in Rue Saint Denis.
A statement said: "The circumstances that led to this intervention have not yet been precisely determined.
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"As a precaution, the SAIP alert system was immediately activated.
“The minister welcomed the quick response by security forces and their great professionalism in all circumstances serving the safety of the French people."
Local reports previously said that shots were heard at about 4pm, but this has not been confirmed.
Police told tourists and members of the public to "avoid the area" and the French Government issued a warning about an attack in Saint Leu church in the Châtelet neighborhood.
Police later said on Twitter that the operation is over and there is "no danger".
The incident sparked panic on Rue Rambuteau and officials quickly moved to reassure the public.
French media have said the panic was a "false alert".
The government's "SAIP" public warning system had sent out an electronic message saying "church attack alert" at 4.30pm local time.
France is on high alert following a series of attacks.
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