POLICE have defended plans to introduce more speed cameras on Lancashire's roads despite Britain's top officer attacking the use of extra fines to improve safety.

Sir John Stevens, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, slammed the idea saying it was not what the law was designed for.

But Lancashire police have hit back saying the scheme is not about money but saving lives.

Lancashire was one of four forces to join the scheme last week after the Association of Chief Police Officers encouraged members to increase the number of speed cameras and use the extra cash generated to improve road safety.

Police plan to increase the number of cameras on the county's roads from 69 to 320 over the next two years after trials in areas with more cameras showed a 47 per cent drop in casualties of speed-related accidents.

Accident 'hot-spots' will be identified and a regional TV advertising campaign will help to raise the profile of the scheme. Over the next three years, police hope their strategy will save the lives of 40 people and reduce serious accident casualties by more than 700.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans yesterday welcomed news of the scheme and said the public would support it.

Although Sir John said he agreed with using cameras as a means of reducing accidents, he has criticised using money from speeding motorists to fund the safety scheme. He said: "I am against the blanket use of speed cameras. They should be used in the right place, targeted to reduce serious accidents and deaths.

"Using the revenue from speeding tickets to raise money for the police is not what the law is there for; it is contrary to the independence of the police."

However, Chief Inspector Ian Bell, manager of the Lancashire Road Safety Project, defended the scheme saying their prime concern was not to raise revenue but to save lives.

He said: "Cameras will only be placed on sites which we have established are known accident blackspots and where we know there is a problem.

"We have made a commitment to be open and honest about where the cameras will be sited and there is no question of them being hidden, so if people choose to exceed the speed limit that is a matter for them.

"As for the question of raising revenue, that is not why they are being placed on the roads. It is easy to get sidetracked by issues such as this, but the bottom line is that we are trying to save lives."

A final decision on the sites for the new cameras will be made after a period of public consultation.