VANDALS have targeted an outdoor paddling pool in the Amman Valley.

The graffiti attack on Garnant pool comes just months after volunteers spruced it up to make it accessible to the public last summer.

Ammanford mum Lynette Rodwell discovered the graffiti while out walking with her family last Friday.

She said: “I went for a walk along the riverside path from Ammanford to Garnant and when I approached the pool I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

“Why would people do such a thing? It was awful to see.

“I live in Ammanford but I am from Glanaman and often went to the park in my childhood. To see something like this happening really makes me angry.”

Cwmaman mayor councillor Kevin Madge said he was “appalled” by the news.

“I helped paint the pool last summer along with a lot of young people who worked days to get it back into use. This news has really angered me. The culprits should be ashamed of themselves.”

Ms Rodwell has called on the community council to install CCTV near the pool.

“If there were cameras they would not only act as a deterrent but also catch the culprits in the act.

“It’s not fair on the children who use these facilities and the people who worked hard last year to get the pool open again after years of closure.

“It is a shame that people don’t have respect for the parks in the area.”

Responding, Cllr Madge said the park has security cameras at the multi-use games area and the bowls pavilion, but he would ask the question as to whether more cameras could be installed nearer to the pool.

“I don’t particularly want to have to install cameras that close to the pool,” he said. “But if it deters these people then it may be something we have to look into.

“However these things cost money, as does cleaning the graffiti off the pool. This is costly to the community council and at a time when we are facing huge cuts this will be using money we simply haven’t got.

“I would urge anyone with information to contact the police urgently.”

The police are investigating the criminal damage and if anyone has any information they are asked to contact the police on 101.