Victims may be paid back

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