Simon Dudley, centre, has called for police to tackle homelessness in Windsor (Picture: Twitter)

A council leader has demanded police clear his borough of homeless people before the royal wedding in May.

Simon Dudley, leader of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, has asked Thames Valley Police to ‘focus on dealing’ with homelessness ahead of the wedding.

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He tweeted of his concern at ‘an epidemic of rough sleeping’ in the borough and on Tuesday wrote an open letter to Anthony Stansfeld, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley.

The Conservative councillor wrote in the three-page letter: ‘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.


Meghan Markle will marry Prince Harry at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle (Picture: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

‘In the Royal Borough we believe homelessness is completely unacceptable in a caring, compassionate community such as ours. We are working to create the necessary housing for our residents.



‘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.’

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Councillor Dudley’s tweet last month read: ‘Sadly there is an epidemic of rough sleeping and vagrancy in #Windsor @RBWM [Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead]. I will be writing to @StansfeldPCC [Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner] copying @TVP_Chief [Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police] @Bhupinderrai70 [a Police Superintendent] at @ThamesVP [Thames Valley Police]… asking for them to focus on dealing with this before the #RoyalWedding’.

Anthony Stansfeld, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, has since responded by saying he is happy to listen to any concerns.

Harry and Meghan are getting married in Windsor in May (Picture: PA)

Councillor Dudley also tweeted: ‘It’s largely vagrancy and begging… People marching tourists to cash points to withdraw cash, hanging out near car park ticket machines to get discounts and ask tourists for money’ during a lengthy discourse with residents.

But Thames Valley Police said it has received no such reports.

In a statement released today, Mr Stansfield said: ‘I am always happy to listen to any concerns they may have and work together where possible.

Meghan Markle spent Christmas Day with Prince Harry and his family (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

‘My office and Thames Valley Police work in close partnership with all local authorities and regularly meet with representatives from every council. I myself attended a Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council in October and these issues were not raised. I will of course provide Cllr Dudley with a full response addressing his concerns once I have received the letter and investigated further the issues he has raised.

‘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.’

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19. Tens of thousands of well-wishers and tourists are expected to descend on the town for the ceremony.



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