Swindon & Wiltshire News
Wiltshire businessman to stand again for Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Former detective inspector Mike Rees has thrown his helmet into the ring in the contest to find a new Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner.
The 58-year-old, who has operated specialist cleaning firm Forensiclean for over a decade, first ran for the post as an independent in 2021.
Backed by a team of volunteers and funded from his own pocket, Mike came close to pulling off a win, gaining almost 35,000 votes from the Wiltshire public.
The incumbent, Philip Wilkinson, stepped in as Conservative Party candidate after its initial candidate, county councillor Jonathon Seed, withdrew from the race on the eve of counting when a 30-year-old conviction for drink-driving came to light.
‘Policing should have no political influence’
On this year’s contest, Mike said: “Many people have been asking me if I will run again however what inspired me to finally commit was seeing how David Tully, an independent candidate, who stood for the role of MP in Rochdale with no experience. He came second and showed how committed he was to his own community.
“For me policing should have no political influence, it’s about community and serving the community.
“I thought maybe we could do this with public support, maybe get someone who is not influenced by politics, has no political background or agenda, no allegiance to any political party.”
Currently, under the election rules, Mike had to personally secure signatures from 100 residents who are on the electoral role to be able to submit his candidacy.
He did this in a few days and now he has to put £5,000 down as a deposit to enter the race.
For this he’s using his own money which he will lose if he doesn’t secure enough votes on election day on Thursday, May 2.
Community is very important to Mike, who lives in Malmesbury with his family and has run Malmesbury Boxing Club for the last eight years.
He is well known for his charitable fund-raising and in 1999 established a local charity – Fatboys – which has raised around £500,000 and distributes Christmas presents for children dealing with cancer.
It’s this sense of community spirit which he feels is missing from Wiltshire’s police force, at a senior level.
“One thing which upsets me as a former serving officer is how distant police officers are now from the public.
“We don’t see police officers on the street, we don’t see them available at police stations, the public don’t know if officers will turn up if they are burgled or their car is broken into.
“I don’t think the public feel safe. We have to do something about that.”
Wiltshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner is responsible for overseeing the work of Wiltshire Police, ensuring the running of an efficient and effective police service, and holding the Chief Constable to account on behalf of the county’s residents.
