A 'ROBUST' response from police has warned off criminals who continue to attack Bicester's new skate park.

The £150,000 park is currently being built in place of the former dilapidated skatepark at The Garth.

But the site has been plagued by vandalism as criminals continue to cause damage to the newly-laid concrete and fencing.

READ AGAIN: Vandals hack at Bicester skate park with a pick axe

A tweet from the police force in Bicester this weekend said: "Following reports of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage at the new skate park the area is being monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV.

"Stay out of the fenced area. You are being watched and will be dealt with robustly."

It comes just a week after officers appealed for witnesses after vandals jumped the fence and used a pick axe to hack at the concrete structures.

The various incidents of damage have delayed the works being undertaken by contractors Freestyle, on behalf of Bicester Town Council.

Bicester Advertiser:

A post on an online Facebook page called Change Bicester Skatepark said that despite this, work is still ploughing on and should be complete by the end of February.

It read: "The skate park is gradually getting there.

"Weather, Christmas and minor criminal damage has put it back a bit but the contractors are happy that end of January/ mid-February it will be complete.

"There will be an official opening of the park and the town council will decide a date in due course.

"Sadly there are some people that are still breaking into the compound during closing hours of the park and causing damage to the newly laid ramps and fencing.

Bicester Advertiser:

"This has set them back which is very sad as this is all done for the youths of Bicester."

The post was coupled with an appeal for anyone with information to contact police on 101.

It added: "In the meantime they are cracking on and not letting this behaviour set them back.

"The park is looking great."

The Facebook page was originally set up in support of the local campaign to bring Bicester's existing skatepark up to scratch. Residents complained it had become a danger to use at it was run-down and dilapidated.

READ AGAIN: Work gets under way on new £150,000 Bicester skate park

In response to a rise in anti social behaviour in Bicester's town centre the local police team helped lead the campaign to work with councillors on securing a new skatepark.

Speaking on the last vandalism incident, PC Vicky Lees who has been instrumental in making the new park a reality, said it was 'mindless vandalism'.

She added: "The reaction from the people who it means so much to on the on the Bicester skatepark Facebook page, they are really disappointed and I was gutted."