Whales trapped in Greenock harbour as cops and coastguard work to rescue pod

A pod of whales became trapped within a Greenock harbour sparking a rescue mission.

Coastguards raced to Victoria Harbour after the alarm was raised at around 19:50pm last night, Saturday August 22.

Large crowds gathered to watch after becoming concerned that the bottlenose whales were stuck.

Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team and Police Scotland arrived on the scene and stayed until the early hours as they worked to free the pod.

Large crowds gathered to watch after becoming concerned that the whales were stuck. (Supplied)

The whales have left the harbour and are being closely monitored.

The Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team said: "Greenock Coastguard Rescue Team were deployed to Victoria Harbour at 19:50 last night after we received a number of reports for the concern for large crowds gathering along the quayside to spectate a pod of whales that were trapped within the harbour.

"Coastguard Officers remained on scene during the evening and early hours alongside partner colleagues from British Divers Marine Life Rescue and Police Scotland for public safety.

"We can confirm that the pod of Northern Bottlenose Whales have now left the harbour and monitoring their location along with BDMLR."