THE LEADER of Windsor Council has asked Thames Valley Police to combat the homeless 'epidemic' in the town before the Royal Wedding.
Simon Dudley, the Conservative Leader of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, wrote an open letter to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley Anthony Stansfield.
In the letter - which is copied to Theresa May, who is the MP for Maidenhead, and the home secretary, Amber Rudd- Mr Dudley wrote seeking action against “aggressive begging and intimidation” and “bags and detritus” accumulating on the streets.
“Homelessness is completely unacceptable in a caring, compassionate community such as ours,” he says.
However, Mr Dudley also says the council has evidence that “a large number of adults that are begging in Windsor are not in fact homeless, and if they are homeless they are choosing to reject all support services ... In the case of homelessness amongst this group, it is therefore a voluntary choice.”
He continued on: "There is a growing concern amongst residents, businesses and visitors regarding the number of people occupying the streets of Windsor, who are begging during the day and in some cases taking occupancy throughout the night.
"It is becoming increasingly concerning to see the quantities of bags and detritus that those begging are accumulating and leaving on our pavements, at times unattended, thus presenting a security risk.
"Residents, businesses and visitors are consistently raising concerns regarding this situation. Our residents, businesses and visitors rightly assume that TVP will take immediate action, as this is a significant security concern, especially given the national importance of Windsor.
"Obviously, the level of tourist interest is set to multiply with the Royal Wedding in May 2018, and there are increased concerns from our residents about their safety.
"The whole situation also presents a beautiful town in a sadly unfavourable light. As Leader of the Royal Borough this situation is totally unacceptable to me and my fellow councillors."
The Council leader then called on Thames Valley Police to act on the situation under the The Vagrancy Act 1824 - which criminalises rough sleeping and begging - or the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Responding, Commissioner Stansfield said he was surprised the letter from the Council leader had been released publicly but not yet sent directly to him.
"My Office and Thames Valley Police work in close partnership with all local authorities and regularly meet with representatives from every council.
“Supporting the vulnerable, including the homeless, is a priority within my Police and Crime Plan and I have previously provided funding to homeless shelters in Berkshire.
"I also provide a Community Safety Fund to local authorities which allows them to fund any local priorities they may have to prevent crime and improve community safety and this year provided Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council with nearly £150,000.
“Protecting the public is of the utmost importance to both myself and Thames Valley Police and the force work day in and day out to keep people safe from harm and make the Thames Valley a safe place to live, work and visit.”
The letter follows a series of tweets from Mr Dudley over the festive period, in which he said: "Sadly there is an epidemic of rough sleeping and vagrancy in Windsor.
"I will be writing to the Commissioner Stansfield copying in Chief Superintendent of TVP Bhupinder Rai asking for them to focus on dealing with this before the Royal Wedding."
Sadly there is an epidemic of rough sleeping and vagrancy in #Windsor @RBWM. I will be writing to @StansfeldPCC copying @TVP_Chief @Bhupinderrai70 at @ThamesVP @TVP_Windsor asking for them to focus on dealing with this before the #RoyalWedding
— Simon Dudley (@MrSimonDudley) December 27, 2017
He then further tweeted that "the [Royal] wedding will focus minds. Due to tourism Windsor is different and requires a more robust approach to begging.
I agree David but the wedding will focus minds. Due to tourism #Windsor is different and requires a more robust approach to begging
— Simon Dudley (@MrSimonDudley) December 28, 2017
