Georgia Williams' parents tell minister lessons must be learned over murder

Mr Grayling was set to hear concerns from Steve and Lynnette Williams over how police dealt with murderer Jamie Reynolds when he attacked girls in the years before he killed their 17-year-old daughter.

The couple were discussing Operation Columbia, the ongoing independent investigation into how West Mercia Police dealt with Reynolds in 2008 and 2011.

Mr and Mrs Williams, who await the outcome of Reynolds' appeal against his full life sentence also want to call for stronger punishment for criminals.

Mrs Williams said: "I am looking to update Mr Grayling on matters of concern, that arose out of the 2008 and 2011 incidents involving Jamie Reynolds, and which in my eyes were not investigated to appropriate police standards.

"Due to the lack of these standards I feel that Reynolds was not therefore, satisfactorily dealt with in the eyes of the law.

"I'm looking to inform Mr Grayling that police standards should be adhered to at all times, and that the plight of the victim should be given more support to that of the perpetrator.

"And punishments should be more severe - its all about supporting people now, not punishing them. Incidents are still occurring, where people are in court time and again, for serious cases, but are allowed to re-offend far too easily and quickly, through lack of time in prison, and then lack of supervision when release. The balance needs redressing in favour of the victims."

The meeting, at the Conservative Party office in Telford, was arranged by the town's Tory parliamentary candidate Lucy Allan.

Miss Allan said: "It is really important that the family has the opportunity to raise a number of significant issues which this case highlights.

"If another family can be spared the terrible prospect that the death of their loved one might have been averted had the police acted differently then it is essential that lessons are learned."

Miss Allan added: "Georgia's killer rightly received a full life sentence for a truly horrific crime. It must be deeply distressing for the family to have to sit through an appeal against this sentence.

"I am glad that Chris Grayling has accepted the invitation to come to Telford and hear what the family has to say. I hope it will be helpful to the family and also helpful to the interests of justice."

See also:

• Father’s heart-rending statement over impact of Georgia Williams' murder

• Georgia Williams' parents face agonising wait over murderer's appeal

• Georgia's parents: Our hope that murderer will lose his appeal