THE number of drivers prosecuted after being caught on cameras speeding or running red lights has risen by 25% to nearly 400,000 in the last year - and more roadside cameras are expected to be installed.

Next year, the number is set to be even higher as the police, councils and courts will be allowed to keep the money from camera fines. The Government has announced it intends to make £15.6million of fine income available to fund new camera schemes each year.

This has been agreed following lobbying from the Association of Chief Police Officers which said that, without extra cash, it was not possible to buy and service cameras: they cost £20,000 to buy and the same amount to maintain a year. Thousands of cameras now overlook all types of roads in the UK but it has been suggested that a lack of resources means only 130 at any one time are active. Home Office figures show that 390,008 offences were captured on camera in 1997 - 86% of for speeding.