Speeding fines 'to go up £5'

Speeding drivers are to be hit with an extra £5 fine to pay for a fund for the victims of crime, under plans revealed today.

The surcharge will raise the cost of being caught by a speed camera to £65 - and lead to further accusations that the Government is exploiting drivers as a source of revenue.

It comes as part of a package of proposals which will be the biggest shake-up to compensation for victims of crime in 40 years.

Under the plans all criminals, as well as speeding drivers, would pay a surcharge into a "victims' fund" which would cover counselling and support for people affected by crime.

The official government scheme for paying compensation to victims of crime would also be radically reformed.

For the first time the £160million-a-year scheme would be given the right to sue offenders to recover cash paid out by the Government to their victims.

Home Secretary David Blunkett claimed the new plans would radically improve services to victims.

The victims' fund would concentrate on "practical and emotional" support - and not the financial compensation which victims are currently entitled to.