JANET Anderson has broken ranks with fellow East Lancashire MPs by backing a new police plan to prosecute drivers who break speed limits by just a single mile an hour - even though she has been prosecuted for the same offence.

The Rossendale and Darwen MP was alone in backing the "zero tolerance" proposal by Scotland Yard Assistant Commissioner Paul Manning as others condemned the plan.

Mr Manning, who heads the Association of Chief Police Officers traffic committee, wants to use new technology to enforce speed limits - including 30mph in urban areas and 70mph on motorways and trunk roads - strictly. He has been backed by Home Office Minister Charles Clarke, whose boss, Home Secretary Jack Straw, has made no comment.

But Hyndburn MP Greg Pope, Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans and Burnley MP Peter Pike have all said the police should concentrate on catching burglars and robbers instead.

Mrs Anderson said: "If there's a speed limit it should be enforced.

"We have new technology that can accurately record people's speeds and those who break the limits deserve to be prosecuted.

"I speak of someone who has been done myself but it was a fair cop." Labour Whip Mr Pope said: "I believe the police should concentrate on catching burglars and robbers.

"We all want persistently reckless, dangerous and drunken drivers to be caught but I think people who accidentally go one mile over the speed limit should not suffer. I would advise Mr Straw to ignore this advice."

Tory Mr Evans said: "This is completely over the top. The police should concentrate more effort on catching burglars, robbers and other criminals rather than attacking motorists. Jack Straw should pay no attention to this advice.

"I would urge him to look at lower speed limits of 20mph outside schools but I don't see why ordinary people should be prosecuted for mistakenly pressing the accelerator too hard and going one mph over the speed limit."

Burnley Labour MP Mr Pike said: "I think such a move would be unfortunate.

"We all know that car speedometers are not 100 per cent accurate and it would be wrong if the people concentrated on catching motorists who break the speed limits accidentally rather than real criminals who rob, burgle and commit crimes of violence."

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