A SWIMMING pool facility that was broken into and trashed just before it was about to reopen has left a community 'devastated'.

The pool at Witney Community Primary School was found yesterday morning in a state with equipment destroyed and the pool damaged.

Furniture had been broken, items were thrown into the pool, fire extinguishers had been let off and areas had been vandalised.

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The facility just had a deep clean and the pool was being warmed up in readiness for reopening.

Oxford Mail:

It is used for Water Babies swimming lessons, run by a family who had to cut their family break short to come back to carry out cleaning and repairs. 

But now as the pool cannot be used, classes have been cancelled.

Saz, from Water Babies, described what she saw when she discovered the break-in.

She said: "We arrived at the pool today ready and excited to open our doors to find out that we had been broken into. We have suffered severe damage and vandalism to the pool and the whole facility.

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"We are completely devastated and we are all feeling quite shaken by what has happened. The building has been defaced at the rear, benches broken and chairs thrown into the pool, cleaning products thrown all over the floors, teaching equipment ruined and they have let off the fire extinguishers which has caused unimaginable mess.

"We have worked tirelessly today to secure the pool and have begun the cleaning up process. We hope to reopen again and we will keep you all updated."

Emily Taylor said she was 'heartbroken' to learn of the news. She added: "This is our pool and now it may not reopen to help our children learn to swim and keep them safe around water, as well as the damage this does in our community. We work hard to build relationships and this is devastating."

Witney resident Daniel Wells, whose daughter goes to Witney Community Primary School, has set up a Gofundme page to raise money to get the pool repaired and has almost reached his £1,000 target.

Oxford Mail:

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He said: "I'd like to raise some money to pay the insurance excess so they are not out of pocket, if we exceed expectations then we could get some CCTV to protect against future damage and if we even exceed that, perhaps get the family back to their staycation."

To donate, go to www.gofundme.com.

An investigation has been launched and witnesses are urged to contact the police.