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Royal wedding: Windsor council leader in begging crackdown call | Royal wedding: Windsor council leader in begging crackdown call |
(35 minutes later) | |
A council leader has called for action to tackle "aggressive begging" in Windsor, ahead of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. | A council leader has called for action to tackle "aggressive begging" in Windsor, ahead of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. |
Simon Dudley, of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, has called on the Berkshire police and crime commissioner (PCC) to address the issue "urgently". | Simon Dudley, of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, has called on the Berkshire police and crime commissioner (PCC) to address the issue "urgently". |
Mr Dudley said street begging created a "hostile atmosphere" for both residents and tourists. | Mr Dudley said street begging created a "hostile atmosphere" for both residents and tourists. |
Windsor Homeless Project described the comments as "abhorrent". | Windsor Homeless Project described the comments as "abhorrent". |
In December Mr Dudley tweeted about an "epidemic of rough sleeping and vagrancy" in the town. | In December Mr Dudley tweeted about an "epidemic of rough sleeping and vagrancy" in the town. |
He said he would be asking Thames Valley Police and the PCC to "focus on dealing with this before the royal wedding". | He said he would be asking Thames Valley Police and the PCC to "focus on dealing with this before the royal wedding". |
'Unfavourable light' | 'Unfavourable light' |
He went on to describe how "vagrancy and begging" meant people were "marching tourists to cash points to withdraw cash" - although Thames Valley Police said it had received no such reports. | He went on to describe how "vagrancy and begging" meant people were "marching tourists to cash points to withdraw cash" - although Thames Valley Police said it had received no such reports. |
Mr Dudley also said some people were earning hundreds of pounds a week targeting tourists and residents in Windsor. | Mr Dudley also said some people were earning hundreds of pounds a week targeting tourists and residents in Windsor. |
In his letter on Tuesday to PCC Anthony Stansfeld, the Conservative councillor said: "The whole situation... presents a beautiful town in a sadly unfavourable light. | In his letter on Tuesday to PCC Anthony Stansfeld, the Conservative councillor said: "The whole situation... presents a beautiful town in a sadly unfavourable light. |
He wrote: "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." | He wrote: "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." |
He said many beggars were not homeless and called for "immediate action, as this is a significant security concern, especially given the national importance of Windsor". | He said many beggars were not homeless and called for "immediate action, as this is a significant security concern, especially given the national importance of Windsor". |
Windsor Homeless Project manager Murphy James said it was "sickening" that Mr Dudley had cited the royal wedding as a reason for his concerns. | Windsor Homeless Project manager Murphy James said it was "sickening" that Mr Dudley had cited the royal wedding as a reason for his concerns. |
He said: "If somebody is sleeping out on the street they are not there by choice; they are there because something has gone wrong. | He said: "If somebody is sleeping out on the street they are not there by choice; they are there because something has gone wrong. |
"I went out on Christmas Day and there were 12 people laid out on Windsor High Street - they were not there by choice." | "I went out on Christmas Day and there were 12 people laid out on Windsor High Street - they were not there by choice." |
Mr Stansfeld said the council had not raised the issue with him on his last visit there but said supporting the homeless was a "priority". | Mr Stansfeld said the council had not raised the issue with him on his last visit there but said supporting the homeless was a "priority". |
He also said protecting the public was "of the utmost importance... 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". | He also said protecting the public was "of the utmost importance... 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". |
Windsor has been described as a "very special place" for Prince Harry and Miss Markle, who have spent time there together since meeting in July 2016. | Windsor has been described as a "very special place" for Prince Harry and Miss Markle, who have spent time there together since meeting in July 2016. |
They will marry at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on 19 May. | They will marry at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on 19 May. |
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