The family of murdered Milton Keynes teenager Leah Croucher have now gained over 100,000 signatures in support of a new law they believe could have saved their daughter.

The family launched a petition demanding the implementation of ‘Leah’s Law’ – a new "three strikes" rule for sexual offenders, which would automatically give them jail time for a third offence.

Leah was abducted, raped and murdered by convicted sexual offender Neil Maxwell, and the family says that this rule could have prevented the tragedy.

After gaining over the required amount of 100,000 signatures in support of their campaign (currently at 109,058 signatures), Leah’s law can now be taken to Parliament.

Leah Croucher's family gained over 100,000 signatures in support of a new law that could have stopped their daughter from being murdered.

placeholder image — Leah Croucher's family gained over 100,000 signatures in support of a new law that could have stopped their daughter from being murdered.

The family are now calling on the public to continue to sign and share their campaign to help it reach 200,000 signatures and gain an even bigger voice in Parliament.

In a video update, Leah’s mum and dad, John and Claire Croucher, spoke to the public about their campaign.

The couple said: “This has given us the opportunity to speak on your behalf, and petition to try and keep your loved ones safe, in ways that our little girl wasn’t.

“Please, please, keep sharing and help us reach 200,000. The more of us out there we can get, the bigger the voice we have in Parliament.

“We are truly grateful as a family that you are helping to support us in all of this”

Currently the three strike mandatory sentencing only applies for a handful of offences, largely those not relating to physical personal harm, such as domestic burglary, Class A drug trafficking and certain offences relating to possession of firearms or offensive weapons.

The petition argues that sexual offences should be added to the list, and that by the time the offender has been convicted of a third offence, it is clear that they present a risk of reoffending again.

Leah’s family believe that the requirement for a mandatory minimum sentence should be accompanied by more investment in individual (not group) rehabilitation to reduce their chance of reoffending. The petition also calls for increased monitoring upon release.

You can find out more at Leah's Law - mandatory sentencing for sexual offenders petition.