Windsor and Maidenhead’s council leader has said he wants to “break the cycle” of environmental crime in the borough.

Councillor Simon Werner joined the area’s community wardens on Wednesday afternoon to view their Maidenhead neighbourhood work.

This included a litter pick in Kidwells Park, before witnessing further littering and graffiti in a walk to West Street car park.

The council leader also met with Maidenhead Town Manager Robyn Bunyan to walk through the town centre and identify other issues.

He was joined by ward members councillor Gurch Singh and councillor Jack Douglas.

Councillor Werner said: “We know how much our residents value our wardens. They provide a high profile, reassuring presence year-round, linking together all parts of the community.”

Community wardens exist to help deter anti-social behaviour, promote crime prevention, assist with enforcement operations and conduct community engagement.

According to RBWM statistics, they have engaged with almost 500 vulnerable residents between June 2022 and June 2023. This included offering advice, mentoring and support.

They also dispersed groups and individuals causing anti-social behaviour and undertook targeted operations to reduce crime.

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Councillor Werner added: “I know how dedicated they are to our borough and its communities, and we should all be extremely proud that we have them working for us.

“I am also keen on getting them back to dealing with environmental crime as well – things like graffiti and fly tipping.

“I am a great believer in the ‘broken window’ principle. Litter just encourages more litter, and then graffiti and then more anti-social behaviour and then crime.

“We need to break the cycle, deal with the litter and the community wardens are part of that – giving people back their pride in their town, village and borough.”

Royal Borough residents can report graffiti and littering incidents on the council’s website.

The community wardens can be contacted via wardens@rbwm.gov.uk or by calling 01628 685636.