A hospital was under lockdown for three hours in Kilmarnock as police dealt with a “serious incident” at the site and two more “potentially linked” events nearby.
Police Scotland said one of the incidents was at Crosshouse Hospital, while a second happened on Portland Street in nearby Kilmarnock and a third on the A76.
Officers said on Twitter: “Police Scotland is currently dealing with 3 potentially linked incidents in the Kilmarnock area.
“The first occurred around 7.45pm outside Crosshouse Hospital, the second around 20 minutes later on Portland Street, and the third, a serious road crash, on the A76, around 8.30pm.
One incident happened on Portland Street in Kilmarnock, while a second unfolded at Crosshouse Hospital
“Enquiries into these incidents are at an early stage and these areas have been cordoned off at this time. There is no cause for concern for the wider community.”
Police Scotland has confirmed the incidents are not being treated as terror related.
An earlier statement said that the incidents at the hospital and on Portland Street were being treated as “serious” and asked the public to avoid the areas.
The hospital was placed into lock down, but this was later lifted.
In a statement, Crawford McGuffie, medical director at NHS Ayrshire and Arran, said: “Following the Police incident earlier this evening, University Hospital Crosshouse was put under lockdown.
A second incident occurred on Portland Street in the centre of Kilmarnock
“Police Scotland have confirmed the risk to patients, staff and visitors to the hospital is minimal, and so this lockdown has been lifted.
“There remains a large police presence on the grounds of the hospital.
“We would like to reassure anyone coming to the hospital, in particular to any patients or staff coming on shift, that Police Scotland have confirmed it is safe to do so.
“However, if you are worried, please speak to the onsite Police Scotland officers.
“As this is a Police Scotland incident, we are unable to comment any further at this time.”
Scotland’s justice minister, Humza Yousaf, said on Twitter: “Please listen to Police instructions and avoid both Crosshouse Hospital & Portland St in Kilmarnock. Police are attending a v serious incident.”