Children and young people in England and Wales who are victims of crime stand to benefit from a victims fund to be paid for by surcharging offenders for their crimes.

In proposals outlined by the Home Office, children and young people are identified as a priority group of crime victims. Last year 46 per cent of secondary school pupils and 60 per cent of excluded pupils were victims of a crime.

The fund is expected to be worth £25m which the government is proposing to raise by placing a surcharge on criminal convictions and fixed penalty notices.

- The consultation document, Compensation and Support for Victims of Crime, is at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/inside/consults/current/index.html