The review by Ted Baillieu, The Victorian Premier, into the state’s CCTV network is long overdue. Victim Support Organizations have for many years been lobbying for more CCTV, particularly in high public areas, with little response to date.

According to police the CCTV footage provided by an independent bridal shop capturing Jill’s movements along Sydney Road was key to the police investigation. No one therefore should doubt the value of this technology.

In 1993, Paul Denyer, abducted and murdered three young women in seven weeks. Without CCTV Victorians may have been grieving the deaths of others if not for the prompt arrest of Jill’s murderer.

Following the public release of the CCTV of Ms Meagher outside the bridal shop Crime Stoppers received 550 calls, many of which told of similar abduction attempts in the area.

In respect to the comments in the media about the cost of such CCTVs and the associated network I would suggest that instead of spending many millions of dollars on revenue collecting speed cameras that these monies be re-directed to CCTV cameras to protect the community from violent crime.

Mr Baillieu, and all politicians, it is time to step up and inform the community that violent crime is a serious issue in Victoria with some 208,100 Victorians recorded as victims of crime in 2011 to 2012, an increase of 6.2% from the previous year, and use the horrific and tragic death of Ms Meagher as a catalyst for change.

For victims of crime support and advice call 1800 000 055 or go to www.victimsofcrime.com.au

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