Daniel Andrews responds to Bec Judd’s Brighton gang violence fears

The Premier said he was “not interested in having an argument” with Bec Judd, who vented her anger over safety fears in Brighton.

Bec Judd has accused the state government of not caring about residents. Picture: Jaggad

Daniel Andrews has been accused of “victim blaming” social media influencer Bec Judd, after she aired concerns the state government was ignoring safety fears in affluent bayside suburbs.

The Premier on Sunday hit back at Ms Judd, who voiced that she is feeling “unsafe” following a spate of crime at the hands of gangs in and around Brighton, where she owns a $7.3m mansion.

“I’m not interested in having an argument with Ms Judd,” Mr Andrews said.

“I’m also obliged to point out though, I think there are more than 70 additional police in the Bayside area, and the most recent crime statistics released by an independent agency would not support those sweeping assessments about patterns of crime.”

The businesswoman and mum of four took to social media last week to vent her frustration at the state government for not caring about residents.

“So sick of the rapes, bashings and home invasions at the hands of gangs in Bayside,’’ Judd wrote on Instagram on Thursday.

“The state government don’t seem to care. We feel unsafe.”

Mr Andrews said Ms Judd “may have missed” May’s state Budget which included the deployment of more than 500 additional police officers and 50 PSOs.

Bec and Chris Judd’s Brighton mansion.

“I say this respectfully to Bec Judd, or anybody – I don’t want anybody to feel unsafe,” he added.

“I’m sorry she feels that way. The data would tell a different story, but it is about personal feelings and your sense of safety.

“I hope that knowing those things, or perhaps learning those things, puts her mind at easy.”

Judd and her AFL legend husband Chris Judd bought their mansion in Brighton for $7.3m four years ago and documented its Spanish-style renovation on social media.

Liberal Brighton MP James Newbury – who this weekend called for a police station in Brighton – accused Mr Andrews of “victim blaming”.

“How dare Daniel Andrews attack a woman because she feels unsafe – what a creep,” he said.

“His behaviour sounds a lot like victim blaming.

“There have been three home invasions in Brighton this week, a police shooting, and many more home invasions in local streets over recent months.”

Mr Newbury said Ms Judd’s sentiment was being felt widely across the electorate, claiming some people had even hired private security.

“I am getting inundated with people who are living in streets where these crimes have occurred,” he said.

Bec Judd’s Instagram post.

Bec Judd's comment on James Newsbury's post.

“They’re coming across these gangs and being forced to barricade themselves in their bedrooms.”

Victoria Police last week launched Operation Ibis, targeting youth offenders committing crime in the Bayside and Glen Eira areas.

Since it began on Tuesday, 14 offenders have been arrested and charged.

“Bayside residents are asked to assist in deterring youth offending by locking their garages, houses and vehicles,” a police statement read.

“Community safety is a whole of community responsibility.”

Last week, Mr Newbury said residents and women were increasingly scared, with some starting to take matters into their own hands.

“I can tell you absolutely (Judd’s) sentiment is the same sentiment that I am getting from women across the electorate today,’’ he said.

“I am getting inundated with people who are living in streets where these crimes have occurred.

“They’re coming across these gangs and being forced to barricade themselves in their bedrooms.

“I am now aware of a number of people who are hiring private security.

“I also know of people now leaving keys next to the front door so that if they are home invaded, they’re not fought.”

Mr Newbury said closing the Brighton police station several years ago had also instilled fear.

Originally published as Daniel Andrews responds to Bec Judd’s Brighton gang violence fears