Three University of the West of England art students were arrested after daubing graffiti on the outside of Bedminster Swimming Pool.

The three men, all in their late teens, received cautions for criminal damage.

PC Nigel Ingram from Bishopsworth Police Station said: “The swimming pool is a Grade II-listed building and it would cost the council £10,000 to clean just one wall of the building of graffiti, as special products need to be used to protect it.

“Rather than using the boards which have been put up in the park for the sole purpose of people expressing their creativity, these lads have climbed over iron railings to deface a listed building. It is clearly illegal and will not be tolerated.”

The park PC Ingram is referring to is Dame Emily Park, next to the swimming pool, where boards are provided for graffiti artists.

NB The original story said that the students were from Bristol University. This was due to incorrect information being issued by Avon & Somerset police.