Homeless pitch tents for royal wedding

HOMELESS people are pitching their tents near windsor Castle, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are soon to be married.

The rough sleepers say they are not moving and will stay to watch the royal wedding when crowds gather in the streets.

The council’s proposals to tackle homelessness ahead of the event on May 19 have so far faced heavy criticism.

This week, the royal Borough of windsor and Maidenhead admitted its plans to fine homeless people £100 for antisocial behaviour needed ‘further work’ after public feedback.

Tory council leader Simon Dudley was also criticised last month for asking police to clear the ‘epidemic’ of homeless people before the couple’s big day.

However, locals have complained that there are a growing number of rough sleepers boasting they will have a ‘front row seat’ for the wedding.

one homeless man, living in a small red tent outside a four- star hotel, said he had no option but to camp there. Maciek Kusek, 29, said: ‘I lost my job and all my stuff is here so I have no choice but to stay here. But at least I’ll have a front row seat on the royal wedding. I won’t be moved.’

He explained he lost his accommodation four years ago along with his job as a waiter. He said he cannot return to Poland after eight years in Britain because he had no ‘ID paperwork’.

former gardener James, 35, was huddled under blankets and umbrellas outside a McDonald’s close to the castle. He said: ‘what else can I do but stay here?

‘I can’t get a job without a home. So I’ll watch the royals pass by from under my blanket. They’re supposed to be charitable, so they should care about the homeless too.’

The council is planning to impose public space protection orders in a bid to cut down on aggressive begging. Its proposed strategy, taking effect in July, includes a ban on leaving belongings on the street, and a plan to ask the homeless to sign up to a 56-day scheme offering housing and addiction services. If they don’t comply, they could be arrested.

Campaigner Holly fishwick yesterday met Mr Dudley to deliver a petition, signed by more than 300,000 people, titled ‘Stop windsor Council removing rough sleepers before royal wedding’. She asked Mr Dudley to find a ‘more benevolent solution’.

Several charities have criticised the council’s approach, saying the homeless need help and should not be ‘stigmatised and punished’.