Victims will be given the chance to describe the impact of their ordeal when police take an initial witness statement.

It is the state's responsibility to make decisions about sentencing, not the victim's

Liberty director John Wadham

Even if they decline, they will be given another opportunity to outline the longer-term effects as the case approaches court.

Home Secretary Jack Straw stressed the plans are not designed to undermine court rulings.

"This is not about saying that judge got it wrong, this judge got it wrong," he said.

"It is, however, saying our system is too arid, it's too detached from the needs and interests of the victim."

'Soft on crime'

But shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe warned that the Victim Personal Statement scheme risked jeopardising courts' impartiality.

"This is a cynical tactic aimed at masking the reality of Jack Straw's failure to get a grip of law and order," she said.

"Jack Straw is trying to hide behind victims' statements, rather than addressing the real problem - that Labour is soft on crime."

While accepting that the effect on victims must be considered, she added: "During the trial, in the interests of the justice system, judges should be able to pass sentence impartially."

Families of victims who have been killed, parents of child victims and small businesses will be able to make statements under the scheme, which should be introduced by early next year.

Ann Widdecombe: Labour 'soft on crime'

Victims can be kept informed of the case's progress and raise concerns about bail or vulnerability as a witness.

Relatives of those killed will be offered travel and accommodation grants while attending court.

Unveiling the plans at the opening of a police station in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, Mr Straw said the scheme "will give victims a voice in a way they have not had before".

Direct communication

"It will be a real opportunity to make their views known more formally to the police, Crown Prosecution Service and the courts and to know they will be taken into account in the case."

Dame Helen Reeves, chief executive of Victim Support, backed the plans, saying that victims will be able to communicate directly with those handling their case.

This is a cynical tactic aimed at masking...Jack Straw's failure to get a grip of law and order

Ann Widdecombe

Their own interests would be considered, she said, "by asking for the compensation, support or protection they need".

John Wadham, director of civil rights group Liberty, questioned whether victim statements will make justice fairer.

"At the present time, victims don't have a good deal within the criminal justice system and we need to change that," he said.

Fairness for all

"But victim impact statements create a responsibility on the victim and there's a danger that they can lead to vindictiveness rather than fairness.

Our system is too arid, it's too detached from the needs and interests of the victim

Jack Straw

"We need to look for a way in which we can treat victims within the criminal justice system fairly and we can treat defendants fairly too - victim impact statements may not do either of those.

"It is the state's responsibility to make decisions about sentencing, not the victim's."

Jack Straw has also announced funds to enable relatives of murder victims to attend funerals.