Three Dalry men have been arrested for attempted fraud after targeting vulnerable and elderly residents in Irvine.

The men aged 38, 37 and 24, were arrested and charged by officers after police received a call from concerned bank staff after one of the elderly victims attempted to withdraw a four figure sum as payment.

The men attended at a number of addresses on Greenbank Court, Irvine, offering to undertake a variety of gardening jobs.

Those that agreed to the work were overcharged with the work being of a poor quality.

All three men have been held in custody to appear at Kilmarnock Sherriff Court today.

Detective Sergeant Peter Sweeney of Saltcoats Police Office said: "The men involved in these heinous crimes targeted vulnerable members of our communities. Doorstep criminals charge over inflated prices for work which is often of a poor standard, and this is the case here.

"Luckily the quick-witted reaction of our partners in the banking sector identified these crimes as ongoing and police were able to attend and catch those responsible in the act. I would like to thank all our partners for their assistance in this enquiry."