A cyclist who claimed he was attacked and robbed made the whole thing up.
The waste of police time followed the 39-year-old’s lies that he was pounced on as he pedalled along the River Ayr Walk.
Detectives got involved after the phantom incident on Friday afternoon on the walkway near the railway station.
Media alerts were sent out and the public were put to needless worry.
On Monday morning Ayr police commander Chief Inspector Brian Anderson confirmed that “thorough investigations” had concluded there was no crime committed.
He said: “No further police action is required. We would like to thank the public for their co-operation during the investigation.”
At this stage police do not intend to charge the time waster, and a source said: "It appears to be the case there was some sort of incident.
"But we don't think it was a genuine case."
He claimed he was left shaken after being attacked by two men and robbed of cash and personal items.
The cyclist even gave descriptions of the two hoods and what they were wearing.
