ARDROSSAN Academy pupils are said to be safe and well after reports of a police incident near the school today.

The Herald heard claims that pupils had been told to remain inside the school building, and not to go out to the grounds, earlier today, June 23.

A police helicopter was also seen circling in the sky above the school.

It was later revealed that police were tracing an armed suspect who had made a getaway in a vehicle after officers attended an address in West Kilbride.

That vehicle was then involved in a collision on Chapelton Road in West Kilbride, which led to a 75-year-old man, who was at the wheel of another vehicle being taken to hospital.

The suspect then made his way to Ardrossan, and it was initially thought that he may have entered the school grounds.

A source has told the Herald that parents and guardians at the school received a text message this afternoon clarifying the situation.

It stated that all pupils in the school were safe and well, following an incident which was not related to the school - something later confirmed by police.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Police would like to re-assure parents that an ongoing incident near to Ardrossan Academy does not involve the school or any pupils attending.

"Around 9.30am on Thursday, 22 June, police attended an address in West Kilbride as part of an ongoing police enquiry. A 35-year-old man at the address made off in a vehicle which was later involved in a road crash with another car on Chapelton Road.

“The man fled the scene and the 75-year-old male driver of the other car was taken by ambulance to Crosshouse Hospital.

"Following searches by officers, assisted by the Air Support Unit, the 35-year-old man was traced and arrested a short time later on Barrie Terrace in Ardrossan.

“Enquiries are continuing.”

Todd Ferguson, Conservative councillor for the North Coast ward on North Ayrshire Council, had earlier tried to shed some light on the situation with a post on social media.

Writing on Facebook, Cllr Ferguson said: "As many of you may be aware you’ll have seen on social media that there has been an ongoing police operation this morning in the local area between West Kilbride and Ardrossan.

"As part of this operation officers attended a house in Lawfield Avenue to speak with the occupant about an ongoing police enquiry. A male in the household threatened officers with a weapon before making off in a vehicle.

"The vehicle, in its haste, collided with another vehicle and that driver has been injured at Chapleton Road and is being treated by paramedics and specialist road policing officers.

"The police apprehended the male in Ardrossan and there is no ongoing or live threat to the public from these incidents.

"There will be significant police and partner activity in the area for the next few hours and disruption will be kept to a minimum."