Ref. 30994-13VANDALS have struck again at the Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool a week after it was closed following an attack which left £10,000 worth of damage.

And yobs have also vandalised changing rooms at nearby Crowdy's Hill School.

Both sites cater for people with special needs and disabilities and staff fear that they may be victims of a vendetta by groups of youths who were forced to stop using a nearby play area.

On June 11 youths ripped out CCTV cameras and bombarded windows with stones at the charity-run pool in Jefferies Avenue, Swindon. And this weekend vandals smashed three large windows with bricks.

Pool manager Paul Charlwood said: "I can't believe this is happened again. It is like a vendetta or some sort of vengeance attack.

"It is hard to think of a motive. The only possibility is that youths are upset that the play area in Wheeler Avenue next to the pool has been closed down because residents complained about problems there with youths. This is nothing to do with us but maybe people think it is.

"We are a charity and have to work hard to get funds to keep the pool going.

"We have already had to close for a week after the last attack and deprived people of facilities while we cleaned the pool and made sure there was no glass in it.

"We cannot afford to have another attack like this we need to spend our money on maintaining the pool. We are urging passers-by to be observant and have an extra pair of eyes without putting themselves in danger. They should call the police with descriptions. We need to catch the culprits, as it seems to be becoming a habit.

"If it carries on we will end up looking like the Bank of England with all our security measures.

"We also had windows smashed two weeks ago so that is three attacks in a fortnight."

Crowdy's Hill School caretaker Wally Casey saw about 15 youths throwing stones on to the roof of the pool on Friday evening at around 8.30pm. He dialled 999 and the police arrived within seven minutes.

"The problem with youths hanging about and causing damage is growing since the park was closed," he said. "We have had our changing rooms damaged in our grounds. Youths broke in and started drinking alcohol inside. We have had to put in shutters to keep them out.

"It is not right to attack premises like ours and the pool, which cater for vulnerable people. It may be that we are both being blamed for the park closure, although it is not our responsibility."

Insp Paul Hawkins of Swindon police said: "We were called out at 8.34pm and were there by 8.41. There were kids in the pool complex. We have taken details and will be investigating further when we can talk to witnesses.

"We have put on extra patrols in the Stratton, Nythe, Covingham, Parks and Walcot areas on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

"We will be making a special investigation into what is happening here. The youths did use to gather in the park. We are taking this seriously and want the public to contact us immediately there is a problem so we can catch people as it is happening."

The pool is due to reopen for business today. Anyone who can help should contact Swindon police on 01793 528111.

Catherine Turnbull