Armed police were deployed to a shopping centre car park after someone was reported to be carrying a firearm in a dispute over a parking space.
Officers were called to the yellow multi-storey at the Metrocentre in Gateshead on Saturday afternoon following reports one person had a suspected firearm, but no weapons were found.
However, five males aged 17, 18, 20, 21 and 23 were arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm and released on bail.
“While no weapons were located by police at the scene, enquiries remain ongoing,” Northumbria Police said.