A GROUP of six youths and young men caught in Hinksey Park on the night a chemical was put in the open-air swimming pool are at the centre of a police investigation into the vandalism.

Police were called late on Friday, August 10, after nearby residents reported a disturbance in the park, off Abingdon Road.

When officers turned up, it was too dark for them to see that the pool had been discoloured with the chemical potassium permanganate, which turns red when mixed with water.

However, they took the names and addresses of the group, who were aged between 15 and 21, and last night said that they had yet to be eliminated from their inquiries.

The pool reopened yesterday - and Police Community Support Officer Ben Howes and Special Constable Bob Boyd took part in a high-visibility patrol of the park, as police promised to crack down on vandalism and graffiti.

PCSO Howes said: "We're on patrol in the park to deter crime and to reassure the public.

"We're also helping out the city council. It hasn't been a great summer, but they have done a great job in getting the pool back up and running so quickly."

Sgt Andy Thompson, of Oxford police's city centre neighbourhood team, said: "This incident is being looked into by our team and our investigations are ongoing.

"Some of the youths who were stopped and spoken to in the park the night the pool was targeted have been spoken to.

"As yet, there's nothing to suggest they're linked, but they have not been completely eliminated from our inquiries.

"Unfortunately, there's no CCTV available of the area, so we would like to appeal for anyone who may have been in the park that evening, and saw anything suspicious, to come forward.

"Some people may see this as nothing more than summer high-jinks, but it has put a valuable community facility out of action for some time and we're keen to find those responsible."

Swimmers from the surrounding area were delighted to get back in the water.

Helen Nash, from Norreys Avenue, said she would take her children Josie, five, and Frank, seven, to the pool almost every day when it was open.

She said: "We were very upset and really angry.

"It's great to have it back. It's a lovely place for the kids to enjoy before school starts."

Josie added: "I'm happy now the pool is back."

Bob Seal, from Marlborough Road, took his two children and their two friends to the pool yesterday.

He said: "It was a shame that it was shut. I don't know what the vandals were trying to achieve.

"It's great that it has reopened. The kids love it."

Oxford City Council is now set to discuss how the pool and the park could be made more secure to prevent a repeat of the vandalism.

Deputy council leader David Rundle said: "The people in this situation should be held responsible for their actions.

"What is key for the council is that we plan, so we can avoid this happening again."