THREE years ago Karen Edwards stood on court steps in Bristol and vowed to get justice for her daughter’s killer after charges against him were dropped.

Today her campaign brought her to the most famous doorstep in the country as more than 40,000 people lent their voices to hers.

As the Justice for Becky campaign winds down Karen has now had a vital audience with policy makers at 10 Downing Street in her bid to reform the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.

Becky Godden-Edwards was last seen in 2002 and despite confessing to her murder in 2011, taxi-driver Christopher Halliwell was not prosecuted because he had not been properly cautioned.

Karen is pushing for better use of recording devices and reform of the law which led to the matter being dropped.

“It all feels so surreal and I am incredibly calm on such a massive day," she said.

“The pressure is off now. For the last 18 months I have had my life on hold.

“PACE was put in place for Sweeney style policing over 30 years ago but it is time it was brought into the 21st century.

"In high profile cases like this, if electronic devices had been in place we would not be where we are today, still seeking a prosecution for Becky’s murder.

“This has highlighted the need for change, because the law as it stands protects the criminal, and the scales of justice are totally unbalanced. It is not just the victim of the crime that suffers but their family and the family of the perpetrator. PACE needs to be there but it needs to be looked at all the time. It has taken a tragedy like this to make us realise that there is a weakness in the justice system.

“The pressure is off getting signatures but it doesn't end here. When I stood on those steps after Halliwell was convicted of Sian's murder, I asked people for their help and they have been marvellous.

"Hopefully I have turned a negative into a positive and this could help another family down the line. It is heart-breaking how many families have been destroyed by the actions of one man.

“We asked people to dig deep and they have. We want to thank everybody who supported the petition.”

A total of 43,000 signatures were delivered to Downing Street yesterday along with petitioners Sandy Johnsson, Gladys Barr and Tracey Mullane and packs are still being collected.

Robert Buckland, MP for South Swindon, organised meetings with advisor to the Prime Minister Max Chambers after the presentation.

“Coming to Downing Street and meeting policy makers represents a real step forward for the campaign," he said.

“I believe that with strong moves forward by the police to modernise the way they record crime, this campaign is very well-timed. I hope that when considering the way police use recording devices that will be used to inform any potential change of PACE.

“I wrote a policy submission some time ago and hopefully at the end of that we can achieve the reform sought here, and improve reliability of evidence in court rooms.

“That would represent real progress for the whole system.”