Fines for minor crimes to be increased
Under the plans, the current fine of £60 for speeding would be increased to £75
London: People who commit minor driving offences and antisocial behaviour face paying bigger fines to fund a government scheme for compensating victims of crime.
Since 2007, a £15 (Dh89) surcharge has been added to fines for those convicted of crime, with the cash going to finance support services.
Ministers now want to extend the levy to on-the-spot fines and fixed penalty notices.
This would include motorists caught speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, or anyone given a parking ticket, as well as those caught scrawling graffiti or being drunk and disorderly.
Under the plans, the current fine of £60 for speeding would be increased to £75.
In a parliamentary answer just before Christmas, justice minister Claire Ward said: "The victim surcharge was introduced on April 1, 2007 and has been applied initially only to fines imposed in magistrates and Crown courts at a rate of £15. "We intend to add the surcharge to other disposals as soon as it becomes feasible to do so. Proceeds raised from the surcharge provide a ring-fenced source of funding for a wide variety of organisations providing non-financial support to victims and witnesses of crime."
Between April 2008 and last January the scheme raised more than £6.6 million.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "It is government policy that, where possible, offenders should contribute to victims and victims' services as part of their reparation."
