ABUSE of Royal Borough council staff has increased amid coronavirus fears, according to the council.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council (RBWM) said staff, such as traffic wardens, have seen a rise in harassment while out maintaining critical services across the borough.

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Car parks have been opened to the public as the council’s traffic wardens have seen an increase in illegal parking, making it difficult for emergency vehicles to get to the scene.

RBWM has urged residents to be kind whilst they continue to provide essential services to the community during this unprecedented time.

A spokesperson for the council said: “We are really surprised that we are having to share this but over the last few days we’ve seen an increase in our staff being subject to abuse while they are maintaining critical services.

“Our staff are working really hard to keep our communities safe.”

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The leader of the council, councillor Andrew Johnson (Conservative: Hurley and Waltham), said: “There is absolutely no excuse for the level of abuse some of our staff are currently receiving.

“We are all working incredibly hard to deliver core services, whilst keeping residents safe.

“I’m sorry if for example your green waste won’t be collected, but we’re focused on saving lives.”