1 February 2005
Guidance for homeowners on the force they can use to tackle intruders was published today.
A special leaflet, jointly produced by the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Crown Prosecution Service, reaffirms that ‘reasonable force’ can be used against burglars.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke welcomed the guidance saying it used ‘plain language’ to tell householders what their rights were and the level of force they could use if confronted by an intruder.
He said he ‘firmly believed’ in the right of every British citizen to protect himself in his own home.
Ken Macdonald QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, added:
"The law is on the side of householders. We aim to reassure them that if they act honestly and instinctively, in the heat of the moment, this will be the strongest evidence that they have acted lawfully and in self-defence."
Extra information
Prosecutions of householders for tackling intruders are extremely rare - only a very few have been carried out in the past 15 years
Householders and the use of force against intruders guidance (opens in new window)
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