THIEVES have stripped the lead from a charity's roof - for the third time in six months.

Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool in Jefferies Avenue, Upper Stratton, was targeted again in the early hours of Sunday.

The previous two incidents were in August and October last year.

Three men managed to remove 60 metres of lead, which will cost £2,000 to replace, but is covered by insurance.

But it is not the loss of the lead which will hit the charity hardest.

It is the £10,000 it will have to find for barbed wire on the inside of the 195m perimeter fence and to beef up CCTV around the site.

Friends of the Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool are planning to meet the costs of these security measures.

Paul Charlwood, who manages the pool that caters for people with disabilities, thinks the gang behind the thefts is highly organised.

"They disconnected light bulbs so the CCTV cameras could not function without a source of light," he said.

"I think this was well thought out and well planned.

"We just can't believe this has happened again and we are very angry.

"It's so frustrating and is difficult not to take personally.

"If it happened once you may shrug your shoulders and think these things happen.

"But three times in six months is hard to take.

"We should be concentrating on spending money on aids inside the building, not what's outside.

"They have to be the lowest of life to do things like this to us.

"I'm amazed how far they will go for a profit.

"We're sorry if the fencing offends anyone but we now have to do all we can to protect ourselves.

"I hope these people are brought to justice."

After the thieves had gained access to the roof they ripped off the lead and threw it over the building's fence.

Then they threw the centre's wheelie bin over the fence and filled it with the stripped lead, before driving off.

The pool remains open despite the theft.

Every week the 92F warm water facility, which opened in 1979, is used by 700 people.

Some of those who use it have brain damage while other users include those with cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.

Scene of crime officers were at the site yesterday to investigate the incident.

A torch and fingerprints on a gas pipe were found on the roof and could offer police further lines of inquiry.

Acting Inspector Adrian Davis of Swindon police said: "This is a local facility for the local area and we would urge any members of the public to contact us with information on this.

"We are continuing to investigate this theft."

Contact Wiltshire Police on 0845 408 7000, or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.