Government wants more financial support for serious crime victims

The government wants to see more money for supporting people who’ve been the victims of serious crimes. Ken Clarke, the Justice Secretary has recently stated that he wants to see £20 added to all motoring fines which he is describing as a ‘victim surcharge.’

It is not just motoring crimes that this victim surcharge is going to be added to and a wide variety of other spot fines are going to be increased. This is part of government efforts to raise around £50 million to support those who have been the victim of crimes.

In Sussex in 2010 speed cameras trapped over 20,000 people and of these nearly 50 percent paid a £60 fine associated with the speeding offence. The other half decided to take a speed awareness course which cost them more money. The changes will mean that the fines will increase to around £80 and in Sussex alone this will bring in the next £200,000 every year from speeding offences alone.

Mr Clarke commented that the current way that people are supported if there had been a victim of crime is unsustainable and he wants to see a move to more money being given to those who received more serious injuries. It is estimated that around 8000 claims are not going to qualify the compensation under the proposals put forward by Mr Clarke. It is estimated that this would save the government around £25 million every year. It is also estimated that around 13,000 people will be entitled to reduced claim amounts.