Families whose relatives have been murdered should have a right to say where killers live when they are released, according to a Government minister.

Criminal Justice Minister Lord Falconer told families at the fifth annual conference of the North of England Victims' Association, in South Shields, South Tyneside, that the voices of victims needed to be heard.

Lord Falconer was the first Government minister to attend the conference on Saturday, where delegates included the parents of murdered schoolboy Damilola Taylor and Sarah Payne.

The minister outlined a string of changes to the criminal justice system, including a new code of practice with set procedures for families to complain, and a Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses.

Under a Victims and Witnesses Bill, expected to be published in draft form in September, families will be able to seek redress through a Parliamentary Ombudsman, he said.

But he said there was also a need to look at the way families' were listened to at later stages, such as the timing of a killer's release and where they lived.

Lord Falconer told the conference: "We cannot, except in the case of a very small number of prisoners, expect to delay release forever.

"But to many victims who still feel traumatised or afraid, it is hard for them to understand why the perpetrator should be given early release rather than having to serve their full custodial sentence."

He said later: "If a victim's family lives in Newcastle they do and should have a right to say whether he or she ends up living in Newcastle."

June Richardson, whose son Martin was killed by Mary Bell, who has been granted anonymity for life, said: "No one here wants the killers to end up living back in their area. I just hope Mary Bell never ends up living here in the North-East."

The Northern Echo launched its Criminal Injustice campaign in 1999, backed by the North of England Victims' Association, to support families whose lives have been devastated by murder and manslaughter. The campaign highlights the imbalance between the help given to criminals and those whose lives they ruin.

After the conference, Richard Taylor, the father of murdered Damilola, said: "He (Lord Falconer) has made a lot of promises about changes to the criminal justice system and I just hope they will happen in as short a time as possible, so victims of crime see justice done."

Sarah Payne's mother, Sara, who is pregnant, said: "It is good that the minister has turned up and we welcome him showing his face. Hopefully he will take on board what we have told him."

'One-size' sentences rejected by judge

A JUDGE sparked angry rebuttals when he told bereaved families that he did not agree with Government proposals on "life means life" sentencing.

Judge Tim Hewitt, who sits at Newcastle Crown Court, told families at the NEVA conference that he did not support "predetermined sentencing."

"No judges who I have spoken to have any objection to the notion that those who commit serious crimes should get serious sentences," he said.

"But the court which hears the case is in the best position to decide terms rather than have a 'one size fits all' sentence.

"I don't think we should follow the system for having mandatory terms for particular types of murder. That is not to say the minimum tariff should not be longer than it is now."

But David Hines, organiser of the annual conference, said that the killer of his daughter, Marie, who was murdered 11 years ago, would soon be eligible for parole.

"Life should mean life," he said, amid clapping from bereaved families.

"In Canada, a life sentence means 25 years and that means you have time to get your life back without wondering if you're going to bump into your daughter's killer on the streets. Nothing will ever bring your loved ones back but at least you could get your life back."

Judges have clashed with Home Secretary David Blunkett over his sweeping changes to the criminal justice system which include proposing the system of "life means life" sentences and 30-year minimum terms for the most serious killers.

They have accused Mr Blunkett of trying to tighten his grip "around the neck of the judiciary" while he has branded judges: "Out of touch".