Keith Bennett: his mother led the march

They marched from Trafalgar Square to the Houses of Parliament, and delivered a petition to Downing Street calling for the creation of a post of government minister for victims.

They also want victims' families to be given greater legal rights and assistance, as well as longer jail terms for murderers.

Mrs Johnson said: "It seems sad in this day and age that the victims are treated worse than the perpetrators," she said.

'Tough sentencing'

"I believe in rehabilitation, but victims need help as well as murderers."

She added: "I would like to see Tony Blair come to his door and speak to us."

Mr Blair did not meet the marchers, but they did see Home Office minister Paul Boateng, who emphasized that his department had already issued tough sentencing guidelines.

"We must make sure that the justice system is more victim friendly," he said.

Achieved

"The home secretary takes very seriously his responsibility to oversee the decisions of trial judges."

The march was organised by the charity Victims' Voice, to mark the start of Victims' Rights Week.

A spokeswoman for the charity Victim Support, who did not attend the march, said: "We think that our work has already achieved many of the things that Victims' Voice are asking for."