Charity’s bus impounded after police claim there was an issue with the driver’s licence

A double-decker bus used as a shelter for rough sleepers in Windsor has been impounded by police before Saturday’s royal wedding.

Thames Valley police said The Ark Project’s 10-bed bus was seized from the town centre due to an issue with the driver’s licence.



The charity’s founder, Michael Longsmith, 42, said nine people on the bus had been “kicked out” on to the streets because police wanted the bus removed before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, despite it being parked on private land with full permission.

The bus had been parked in “a lovely spot” right on the corner next to the castle, said Longsmith.



Police had towed it away, claiming it was a public service vehicle – which Longsmith said it was not. “They towed it away to be inspected and categorised and it’s not going to be given back until after the wedding.”



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Inspector Gavin Biggs, a roads police officer, said the force seized the vehicle on Thursday afternoon. “It was being driven otherwise than in accordance with a licence, a man was reported for the offence and the vehicle was removed,” he said.



Windsor council’s Conservative leader, Simon Dudley, sparked controversy earlier this year with a letter to Thames Valley Police, saying rough sleepers should be removed from the Berkshire town before the wedding. But, after a backlash, it appeared no homeless people had been removed and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead said it has been working with charities to get rough sleepers the help they needed.

Longsmith said of the bus: “It’s been used as a motorhome for the last year, since it was converted.” Normally used at a shelter in Reading, he had moved it to Windsor two days ago “to help the homeless because of the kerfuffle around them”.

“There were nine people on board at the time it was seized. They’ve just been kicked out back on to the streets. There is nowhere for them. No provisions set up for them in Windsor. Now we are trying to rally around to find tents for them.”



“The real motivation was because the place we were parked in was right opposite the castle and with the amount of press and media that it was shining on the homeless problem, they just wanted it gone. So they have used whatever power they could.”



He claimed police had lured them out of a private car park “saying they wanted to have a word, and can you bring the bus down the road. They were all smiley-faced. But, when we got out of the view of the public that is when they seized it”.



“That was deliberate. They lured us away from the public view, down a little side street, and then they did what they did.”



Biggs said the bus would be retained as part of an ongoing investigation to ensure it was roadworthy.



He added: “Once the investigation has been completed, we will be happy to release the vehicle, as long as the correct documentation is in place.

“Officers will execute their duty compassionately and discretely where appropriate. This is what Thames Valley police tried to do on this occasion.”