The voters of Swindon and Wiltshire will be able to chose their next police and crime commissioner tomorrow just 15 weeks after they went to the polls the last time.

The Conservative candidate Jonathon Seed won that election in May easily, with 100,000 votes compared to nearest challenger the Liberal Democrat Liz Webster’s 58,000 as the contest went to a run-off count of first and second preference votes.

But the PCC’s desk has been empty over the past three-and-a-half months because Mr Seed immediately said he would not take the post having found that previous convictions for motoring offences would have disbarred him from the post.

Three of May’s candidates have returned to the fray for this week’s election – Junab Ali, the Labour candidate, Julian Malins, standing for the Reform UK party, and Mike Rees an independent candidate.

There are two new candidates this time as well, Conservative Philip Wilkinson, and the Liberal Democrat Brian Mathews.

Coun Ali is the chairman of the Wiltshire Police & Crime Panel to which the PCC reports.

He said: “I shall press for a fairer funding for the area as this drives the ability of the police force to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

“My key pledges are to build a more visible policing presence through a stronger focus on community policing, task a senior staff lead to support victims, build more resources to tackle cybercrime, protect children and the vulnerable, better protection for women and girls and to create a greener police service at no additional cost.

Mr Malins, a barrister said: “Our criminal justice system and indeed, our freedoms, are at a critical stage.

"Crime is always with us, but it can be reduced and criminals deterred. Police funds are finite.

"That means, we must set priorities. Not those passing fads, which we are told we should want, but those you actually want.

"Morale in your police force, coupled with the support of the law abiding public are vital objectives. They come from leadership.

"Our county is not immune from organised crime, nor from internet fraud, indeed in the latter case we are probably more vulnerable than most London boroughs."

Dr Mathews, who replaces Liz Webster as the Liberal Democrat candidate, says he has the right track record having served on the police and crime panel for the past four years.

He said his priorities are: “Speeding – promoting intelligent speed cameras to target those who seriously endanger all of us, with high speed and often lack of insurance – a killer combination. A dedicated modern police station for Salisbury, activating retired police to volunteer with schools to support our children and giving violence against women,internet fraud, antisocial behaviour, pet theft and the victims of crime a higher priority.”

Mr Rees is a former Wiltshire police officer who served for 30 years in the force. He promised the voters: “I will serve with honesty, integrity, and transparency. I will listen and be your voice in policing.”

He added: “Safer streets, a stronger police presence, supporting communities, spending wisely and standing against corruption.”

Mr Wilkinson, for the Conservatives, is a former army officer who wants to use that experience in leading policing. He said: “I will focus on prevention, prosecution, punishment, restorative justice, reintegration into civil society and victim support. Defeating criminality, like terrorism requires a comprehensive strategy.

“I promise to strain every sinew to put more police on the front line. This will require a close look at the police funding formula."

Polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm.

Votes will be counted at County Hall in Trowbridge and the results announced on Friday.