Mike
Site Co-Founder
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-st...clarify-existing-burglary-law-115875-23430544
SNIP
HOMEOWNERS who defend themselves and their property will get more protection under law, the Government recently pledged.
Under existing laws, homeowners are allowed to use only “reasonable” force to tackle a burglar.
Guidance issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Crown Prosecution Service says: “The more extreme the circumstances and the fear felt, the more force you can lawfully use in self-defence. If the intruder dies, you will still have acted lawfully.”
. . .
PM David Cameron promised in June that the new Justice Bill would “put beyond doubt that homeowners and small shopkeepers who use reasonable force to defend themselves or their properties will not be prosecuted”.
Justice Secretary Ken Clarke said it will “clarify” the existing law.
He said: “We will make it clear you can hit a burglar with a poker. If an old lady finds she’s got an 18-year-old burgling her house and she picks up a kitchen knife and sticks it in him, she has not committed an offence, and we will make that clear.” . . .
SNIP
HOMEOWNERS who defend themselves and their property will get more protection under law, the Government recently pledged.
Under existing laws, homeowners are allowed to use only “reasonable” force to tackle a burglar.
Guidance issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Crown Prosecution Service says: “The more extreme the circumstances and the fear felt, the more force you can lawfully use in self-defence. If the intruder dies, you will still have acted lawfully.”
. . .
PM David Cameron promised in June that the new Justice Bill would “put beyond doubt that homeowners and small shopkeepers who use reasonable force to defend themselves or their properties will not be prosecuted”.
Justice Secretary Ken Clarke said it will “clarify” the existing law.
He said: “We will make it clear you can hit a burglar with a poker. If an old lady finds she’s got an 18-year-old burgling her house and she picks up a kitchen knife and sticks it in him, she has not committed an offence, and we will make that clear.” . . .