Hot TOPICS  

Warminster and its surrounding villages share a common historic and now increasingly unique contibution to their communities. A weekly family owned newspaper, which has almost completely disappeared everywhere else in the country.

"I was so surprised that a centre two page spread in the affectionately known locally as the 'wobbly J' newspaper carried word after word from three party political candidates.

"The Independent candidate ended up as what seemed like an after thought buried in the bottom right hand corner," said former Independent town councillor Paul Macdonald.

"I supported Mike Rees the last time he stood having met him amongst the community he clearly has a passion about.  This is round two." added Paul.

"I was once called a technophobe by a fellow councillor. As a journalist in the old days things were a lot simpler without e-mails, texts,  whatsap, and whatever else.

"So many times now things get lost either in the ether or technology lets journaliism down. "

"So these are Mike's words that appeared elsewhere across the county in print that it was hoped would appear on the pages of our local paper of record."

MIKE REES, is a former detective inspector who served within Wiltshire Police for 30 years before retiring from the force and setting up several of his own businesses.

Mike was motivated to stand for the role of Wiltshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner because he believes in ‘policing’ and not ‘politics’.

He feels that a Police & Crime Commissioner should be putting community first and should not be swayed by wider political agendas or party interests.

He believes this so deeply that he is standing as an independent candidate and has put up his own money as a deposit to support his candidacy.

Volunteers and supporters have backed him, giving their time for free and helping to raise £3,000 which is his total budget for his campaign to date.

Community and Charity

As a passionate community champion, Mike, who lives near Malmesbury, is head coach at the town’s amateur boxing club and has been passionate about boxing – and sport – through out his life. Indeed his love of sport will also inform how he helps deal with anti-social behaviour should he be successful in being voted in a the next PPC in Wiltshire.

He also founded charity for children with cancer and leukaemia in memory of a friend and, with volunteers, has raised over £500,000 to help children and their families in the most awful of circumstances.

Mike’s ambitions are clear and his pledge is that he will be honest and truthful with the public about what can – and cannot – be achieved. He will seek to remove any spin around a police force which is currently in special measures.

Achievements Now Ambitions

*Stronger police presence – by improving public access to police stations and investing in technology to free up frontline staff.

*Keeping Wiltshire safe – by working with partner agencies, voluntary and community organisations to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and also to sustain a safe night-time economy.

*Scrutinise performance – by prioritising the reduction and detection of crime; tackle misconduct and corruption and improve confidence in Wiltshire Police.

*Deliver value for money – by reviewing the police estate strategy; review the force structure and support a well-equipped and motivated work force.

Mike believes it’s time for change.

Do not forget to take photo ID with your on Thursday 2nd May.