End of an era as Mick retires after 18 years’ service

Mick Leaghfield has served the Bobby Van with compassion, patience, and integrity for 18 years

BOBBY Van operator Mick Leighfield is hanging up his toolkit and retiring after 18 years of keeping people all over the county safe in their homes.

After travelling thousands of miles in his van changing locks and fitting home safety devices for over 60s and people with disabilities who have been victims of crime or people at risk of domestic abuse, the former Wiltshire Police officer will step down at the end of August – 52 years to the month after he first walked into headquarters in Devizes as a Police Cadet.

“I chose August for that reason,” said the 68-year-old, who was born in Swindon. “I loved my time as a police officer and also working for the Bobby Van but I think it’s time to do something different now.”

He followed his older brother into the cadets in 1973 and set his sights on becoming a scenes of crime officer. “My brother said he enjoyed it and I liked the idea of being a scenes of crime officer but I never did end up doing that, I liked being a community bobby,” he said.

He served in Salisbury, Netheravon and Pewsey before becoming a firearms officer. “It was at the time Ted Heath moved to the Cathedral Close in Salisbury,” he recalled. “My wife Alison and I had bought a house in Salisbury so I trained to be a firearms officer knowing that I would be sent to Salisbury.”

He joined the force’s tactical firearms unit but never had to fire a weapon in anger. “I came very close once but I’m glad I didn’t have to,” he said.

Make it stand out

Mick only joined the Bobby Van by chance when he overheard a conversation about a vacancy just as he was retiring from Wiltshire Police.

After 12 years in the unit he became one of the force’s first diversity officers, liaising with ethnic minority and LBTGQ+ communities. “It was a really challenging but enjoyable time and I still keep in touch with a few of the people I came into contact with,” he said.

When two force divisions were amalgamated in 2007 he took retirement and by chance overheard a conversation at work about the Bobby Van needing a new operator. “I applied and had the interview on the Tuesday and accepted it on the Wednesday, so within a week everything changed,” he said. “Had I not overheard that conversation I would probably be stacking shelves in Tesco or something, it was very fortuitous.”

He said the satisfaction he has received from helping terrified and anxious people feel safe has kept him in the role for so long. “I like talking to people and I think you need patience, understanding and kindness in this job,” he said.

“The good thing about it is the feeling when you go home that you've helped somebody that day. Changing a lock for somebody is just a little thing really but the difference it can make to their lives is huge. You see that in them almost instantly as you do it.

“The good thing about it is the feeling when you go home that you’ve helped somebody that day.”

“The difference between the frightened and anxious person you meet at the door to the one who lets you out at the end of the job can be tangible.”

He and Alison have plans for river cruises and spending more time with their son and daughter and her two grandchildren, as well as indulging Mick’s passion for bowls playing at Alderbury Bowls Club. “I’ve got a long list of jobs at home that has been building up too,” he said.

Mick with HRH the Queen at a Wiltshire Bobby Van event

Bobby Van Director Jennie Shaw said his contribution to the charity has been enormous. “Mick brought to the role not only decades of experience from his time with Wiltshire Police, but also the compassion, patience, and integrity that lie at the heart of everything we do,” she said. “His commitment to helping those most vulnerable in our community has been nothing short of inspiring.

“Mick’s work has made a real and lasting difference to thousands of people across Wiltshire and Swindon. From fitting locks to offering reassurance and a listening ear, he provided more than just practical support – he helped restore people’s sense of safety and dignity at times when they needed it most.

“It’s hard to overstate the impact Mick has had, not only on the individuals he’s helped, but on our entire team. He has been a valued colleague, a mentor to many and a shining example of what it means to serve with empathy and dedication.”