POLICE are investigating after a car was found submerged in Saltcoats Harbour last week.

Officers were called to the scene early on Friday, August 23 alongside crews from the Ardrossan Coastguard and Troon Lifeboat after the alarm was raised by concerned residents nearby.

A thorough search was soon carried out but it found that nobody was within the car, a red Seat, and emergency services remained on the scene for a number of hours afterwards.

The car was removed from the harbour over the weekend but enquiries remain open to trace the owner and to find out how it got to be in the water.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police received reports of a car in the water at Saltcoats Harbour at around 8.15am on Friday, August 23.

“We can confirm that nobody was within the vehicle and an investigation has been launched.”

A spokesman for the Ardrossan Coastguard told the Herald: “As the team arrived on scene, the roof of the vehicle was visible above the waterline. A water rescue operator deployed into the water with team members standing by to provide immediate casualty care if required.

“The water rescue operator was quickly able to confirm that no persons were within the vehicle.

“A short time thereafter and with additional Coastguard resources, an expanded shoreline search was conducted between Saltcoats and Stevenston with a detailed search of Saltcoats Harbour being conducted alongside the Police Dive Marine Unit.

“Once the shoreline and harbour searches were complete and with nothing found, all coastguard resources have been stood down with Police Scotland continuing enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.