A shopping centre outside Glasgow was the scene for a training exercise to test the response of the emergency services to a major firearms attack - leaving the public confused.
The multi-agency action - held throughout Tuesday evening at Intu Braehead - had been planned since early last year, Police Scotland said.
The exercise was not in response to any recent incident or specific threat, said assistant chief constable Bernard Higgins.
He said: "The emergency services and partners plan extensively for a wide number of challenging situations from naturally occurring events caused by the weather to significant industrial accidents or criminal acts.
"This exercise has been in the planning for a year and specifically focuses on a major firearms incident and will test how our specially-trained armed officers respond alongside other emergency services at a crowded place, which for the purposes of this scenario, is a major shopping venue.
"I must reiterate that this exercise is not in response to recent events in Paris or any threat to any specific location."
He said training exercises allowed authorities to ensure the response to a genuine incident was current and ran as "efficiently and effectively as possible".
"Whilst everyone in Scotland hopes we never have to activate any major incident plan, it is important that we are ready to do so should the need develop. This proactive approach to preparedness helps to protect Scotland's status as a safe and secure country," he added.
Gary Turnbull, general manager for the shopping centre, said: "The emergency services do an extremely important job keeping the public safe.
"This training, planning and preparation to deal with all eventualities is essential and we had no hesitation allowing them to use our facilities for their exercise while the centre was closed."
Most people only became aware of what what going on after police shared this message on their social media:
We are taking part in a live play training exercise tonight @intuBraehead
— Police Scotland (@policescotland) January 26, 2016
We are taking part in a live play training exercise tonight @intuBraehead
— Police Scotland (@policescotland) January 26, 2016
You may be aware of increased activity from the emergency services around @intuBraehead and loud noises - no need to be alarmed.
— Police Scotland (@policescotland) January 26, 2016
Locals, however, took to Twitter to express their frustrations and concerns about what was going on at the site - with some claiming they were being kept awake.
Any idea what's happening at Braehead? Major Incident Unit and about half of Scotland's police and fire services in the car park...
— Gerard Tiffoney (@GerardTiffoney) January 26, 2016
Wtf is happening in braehead the night 🤔 pic.twitter.com/QKoL9Fgna4
— ☣ (@ScottBrown_93) January 27, 2016
There was a bomb scare at braehead😱
— ConMac98 (@ConMac88) January 26, 2016
Never heard any gun shots at braehead I am fully gutted
— Scott (@Scott_Warner) January 26, 2016
One Twitter user asked the police and shopping centre if Scotland could be under attack soon after recent events in Paris.
@policescotland @intuBraehead do you think Scotland may be under attack soon?
— ✨Gloriousmagicdragon (@MarietteLarkinn) January 26, 2016
Police and Intu Braehead responded:
@MarietteLarkinn Please don't worry, this exercise is not linked to any recent incident or specific threat. Thanks, intu Braehead.
— intu Braehead (@intuBraehead) January 26, 2016
@MarietteLarkinn exercise has been in planning since early 2015. It's not related to or in response to any recent incident/specific threat.
— Police Scotland (@policescotland) January 26, 2016
And some Twitter users, however, were quick to make jokes at the expense of the police:
Polis must b practising for a riot or false flag at Braehead or maybe crispy creme got an offer on
— sick racer (@thesickracer) January 26, 2016
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