THE sister of murdered Bolton woman Liz Sherlock was at 10 Downing Street today to urge Tony Blair to give more support to families of Crime victims.
Dr Janet McKenzie -- along with the mothers of murdered children James Bulger and Sarah Payne -- will deliver a letter to the Prime Minister asking him to help bereaved relatives who are left to cope on their own. Mrs Sherlock was killed when she was deliberately run down in the street outside Euston Station.
The 42-year-old had been chasing a thief who stole her handbag.
Dr McKenzie said there was no system in place to help her and her family cope with her sister's death following the subsequent trial. She hopes the campaign will put pressure on the Government to change the current situation.
She said: "Police family liaison officers were wonderful, but once the trial was over it all fell flat.
"Since Liz died I have heard so many horror stories about the long-term effects of this type of bereavement on families and friends that I feel guilty about my previous ignorance." Dr McKenzie was hoping to meet the Prime Minister today and ask him to appoint a minister to be given the responsibility for supporting victims' families.
The visit to Number 10 has been organised by the Victims of Crime Trust, which the Anglia University lecturer is campaigning for.
Also making the trip were Denise Fergus and Sara Payne, the mothers of Jamie Bulger and Sarah Payne.
As well as highlighting the plight of bereaved families, Dr McKenzie, originally from Horwich, wants the personalities and achievements of victims to be commemorated.
She added: "Something has to be said on behalf of people who can no longer speak for themselves. Many people seem to regard criminals as celebrities.
"Books and films have become part of our entertainment, whilst their victims are ignored.
"Liz had such a brilliant personality that it should still be allowed to shine.
"More should also be done for those who have been bereaved by crime."
Dr McKenzie's parents, Joseph and Doris Nicholls, live in Alexandra Road, Lostock. Their other daughter, Susan Brown, is also giving her support to the Victims of Crime Trust.
Mark Woolley, aged 36, from London, was jailed for life in December for the murder of Mrs Sherlock.
Jackie Moorhouse, aged 24, also from London, was convicted of the theft of her handbag.
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