How Brighton crime terror on Bec Judd’s doorstep sparked crime crusade

A terrifying burglary was the catalyst for influencer Bec Judd’s crime crusade after the horror break-in unfolded too close to home.

Bec Judd shone a light on crime fears after an incident that hit a little too close to home in Brighton. Picture: Tony Gough

A respected former police detective has applauded Bec Judd for speaking up about a spate of frightening crimes in Brighton and believes influencers in other suburbs should follow her lead and shine a social media spotlight on issues in their area.

Judd would seem to have sparked a new era of social media and celebrity influencer-led neighbourhood watch in Melbourne after letting rip last week about dangerous crimes that had occurred recently in Brighton.

Charlie Bezzina, who spent 37 years with Victoria Police, said people with influence and large social media followings could create the “noise” and “ripple effect” needed to get action taken on crime issues.

“They are influential people, they are people of some means and certainly some context, and they are listened to given their profile and position in the community,” Bezzina said.

Bec Judd made headlines after letting rip on Brighton’s crime rate last month.

The businesswoman is one of Melbourne’s biggest social media influencers.

Bezzina’s comments come as Victoria Police interviewed a 22-year-old man from Footscray over a terrifying aggravated burglary in Brighton on April 28, a mere Malcolm Blight torpedo punt from Judd’s home, where a woman was threatened with a hammer.

The woman arrived home in the early afternoon and disturbed the man going through her belongings.

“The woman grabbed her phone to call emergency services but the man produced a hammer, threatened the woman and forced her to hand over the phone,” police said in a statement.

“The offender ran out of the house with the woman’s phone and purse and left the scene in a blue hatchback. Fortunately, the woman was not physically injured in the incident.

“A 22-year-old Footscray man has been interviewed and released pending summons.”

Judd hit a nerve about community safety when she revealed on social media her concerns about “rapes, bashings and home invasions at the hands of gangs in Bayside,’’ on Instagram on May 26.

Judd’s comments were prompted by a break-in nearby.

She lives in a her $7m mansion with her husband, Chris.

“The state government don’t seem to care. We feel unsafe. I personally know two women who have experienced home invasions in Brighton in the last few weeks while they were at home.”

Local Area Commander, Inspector Cath Wilkins said Victoria Police took resident’s concerns over safety seriously while noting Bayside was a safe place to live.

“As part of Operation Ibis, police are regularly patrolling local streets throughout the evening, targeting areas based on intelligence so we can stop criminals in their tracks,” Inspector Wilkins said.

“Operation Ibis has already sent a strong message to anyone seeking to break into people’s homes or vehicles, with multiple offenders arrested immediately by police on the night.

“Police fully understand the impact that recent incidents may have had on the community’s overall perception of safety and it’s integral to us that people feel safe in their own home and neighbourhood.

“In response to community concerns, Victoria Police established Operation Ibis, which targets motor vehicle theft and aggravated burglaries in the Glen Eira Bayside area.”