A stolen car has ended up in the Heathcote river.

A police spokeswoman said just before 6am, emergency services received a report that a car was in the river, near the intersection of Garlands Road and Aynsley Terrace.

“There was nobody reported as being in the car, which was stolen.”

The area where the car went in has been cordoned off by police, who remain at the scene.

Environment Canterbury staff are also at the scene.

It’s understood the car was involved in crime-related incidents overnight.