Three people have been taken into police custody after officers responded to reports that a gunman had been seen in an Ayrshire village.
Police were called to Springside near Irvine at 11:50 on Sunday.
Officers on the ground were supported by dog handlers and a helicopter.
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: "At around 11.50hrs on Sunday, police received a report of a man in possession of what appeared to be a firearm near Station Drive in Irvine.
"As part of the inquiry the force police helicopter assisted.
"Three people are currently being detained."
