TWO men have been charged in relation to one of three incidents in Ardrossan and Saltcoats last weekend.

Ayrshire police issued an appeal for information on Monday following reports that a vehicle had been damaged on Friday night, August 12, while a man reportedly suffered a head injury and a car was found to be on fire.

There were also reports of gunfire being heard in Saltcoats in what local councillor Jim Montgomerie compared to "like something out of a gangster movie".

Officers were first called out to the junction of Eglinton Road and Dalry Road in Ardrossan at around 1am on Friday, where they discovered a vehicle that had been damaged. A 20-year-old man was also taken to Crosshouse Hospital to be treated for a head injury.

Two men, aged 19 and 41, have since been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

They are due to appear in Kilmarnock Sheriff Court tomorrow (Thursday, August 18). A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

According to police, enquiries remain ongoing into two other incidents, which are being treated as linked.

At around 11pm on Friday, officers were called to a report of a car on fire in McDowall Avenue, Ardrossan, with no reports of any injuries during this incident.

Finally, at around 7.30pm on Saturday, August 13, officers were called to a report of gunshots being heard on Munro Walk in Saltcoats.

Again, nobody was injured during this incident.

Detective inspector Stephen McCulloch said: “We believe that these incidents are all linked, and targeted.

"The actions of those involved are extremely reckless and dangerous and it is vital we bring this to a stop.

“One man has already had to attend hospital with a serious injury.

“We are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward, think back – were you in any of these areas of Ardrossan or Saltcoats at the time? Did you see or hear anything untoward?

“We would also ask anyone with any dash-cam footage to come forward, you may have captured something that can help us.

“We will have extra patrols across the coming days, anyone with any concerns should speak to an officer or call 101, or 999 in an emergency.”

Anyone with any information about these incidents should contact police via 101, quoting incident number 3605 of Saturday, August 13, 2022.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given in confidence.