A MAJOR police operation in Saltcoats has ended without any arrests being made, police have confirmed.

Part of Canal Street was locked down as a large number of officers descended on a property as part of their ongoing investigation into the murder of Alan Lawson.

Traffic and pedestrians were turned away from the area.

Images from the scene showed what appeared to be armed police officers surrounding one of the properties on the street and people were spotted being taken away from the area.

Officers began to leave the scene around two hours after they first arrived, with a source telling our reporter that "no-one was there" at the property.

Confirming there had been no arrests as a result of the operation, a force spokesperson said: "The operation in Canal Street has concluded and enquiries remain ongoing."